RESIDENTS are celebrating after plans to build a 12.5-metre mobile phone mast in their midst were blocked.

BT Cellnet had hoped to build the mast just off the roundabout at the junction of Waldridge Road and Whitehill, in Chester-le-Street.

With homes yards away, a bus stop nearby, and school children expected to pass the spot every day, local people were worried about the possible health effects.

But yesterday residents heard that Chester-le-Street District Council bosses refused to lease the land to BT Cellnet.

Residents had feared the phone mast would become reality when the authority ran out of time to block planning permission for the plans.

Government rules dictate that local authorities only have 42 days to make a decision if the phone mast is under 15 metres tall.

Despite the council's planning committee throwing out the proposals last month, the deadline had passed and residents feared the worst.

But a meeting of the executive this week voted to refuse a lease on its land on the grounds of "inappropriate use".

Councillor Dave Meek, who represents the Waldridge ward, has campaigned against siting phone masts in the area before.

He said: "After the time period expired, I knew there was another way to stop it because the land belongs to the council. Therefore, they had to come back to us for a licence.

"As far as I was concerned, there was no way it was going to be put up in a built-up area if I could help it.

"I am not against phone masts in general, but they have to be in the right place."

Brian Elliott, 69, who lives in nearby Netherton Close, said residents were not expecting such a quick change in fortune. "I would imagine everyone round here will be very relieved," he added.

A spokeswoman for Chester-le-Street District Council said: "The planning issue was decided on its merits, and the lease was refused because it was an inappropriate use of the land.