Wakefield Council rejected Vodafone Ltd's prior approval application to install a 11.4m telephone pole on land off Pontefract Road, near Featherstone Technology College, last Thursday.

Almost 50 people objected to the mast being sited there and a council statement said it was refused due to its "unacceptable visual impact" and because it would cause enough anxiety to affect residents' quality of life.

Objector Val Adey, of Pontefract Road, said: "It is a wonderful decision.

"A phone mast would have looked awful across the road and children would have to walk past it every day.

"We are worried about the potential harm to health, it just didn't seem right.

"Everyone is very relieved."

Featherstone businessman Gareth Yates sent an application to the council, backed by residents, to turn the land off Pontefract Road into a protected village green, in a last-ditch bid to stop the mast being built.

He said: "Not much can stop mobile phone masts from being installed, but you can't beat people power.

"Now we have a waiting game to see what Vodafone will do and if they will appeal.

"The village green application must also go through procedures."

Castleford councillor Tony Wallis, a planning committee member, said phone companies should consult residents about masts.

He added: "Because direct consultation is not held before an application is made the public has little say outside of the planning process, which being a notification, is very limited.

"We end up with residents genuinely frightened of mobile phone masts in their neighbourhood.

"Hopefully Vodafone, rather than going to appeal, will meet objectors and explain why such masts are, in their opinion, safe."

Featherstone councillor Kay Binnersley added: "Hopefully the village green application will stop a mast from being built and Vodafone will find a big field to install it in instead."

Objections to the mast were sent in by Featherstone Technology College and Featherstone MP Jon Trickett.

Mr Trickett said: "After the strength of residents' opposition against the proposal to site the mast on Pontefract Road I am pleased planners decided to determine on this matter and reject the  application."

Vodafone said the mobile phone mast is needed to improve 3G coverage in the area and that its radio base stations operate to stringent guidelines with low exposures.

A spokesman said the firm would decide whether to appeal once it had received a refusal notice from the  council.