PLANS for a mobile phone mast at Upper Welland were thrown out by councillors this week, to applause from protesters.

Communication company Voda-fone wanted to put a 20.87 metre (68 feet) mast and antenna at land off Watery Lane, to extend its third-generation (3G) phone network.

But the plan has been vigorously opposed by local residents, who lodged a 181-signature petition and a host of individual letters with Malvern Hills District Council.

At Wednesday's meeting of the council's southern area planning committee, members ruled that genuinely-held health fears, whether justified or not, are sufficient planning grounds for the mast scheme to be blocked.

The decision built on a previous one in Pendock, when a mast was rejected on the same grounds.

Councillors also cited concern about the effect on the landscape of the Welland mast.

Before councillors discussed the plan, a representative of the protesters addressed the meeting, as did a Vodafone spokesman.

The council is now planning to write to the Government calling for more research into the effects of mobile phone mast emissions.

Planning officer David Murray said the issue was not likely to go away. Providing total 3G mobile phone coverage would require between 10 and 15 masts in the district.

After Wednesday's meeting, committee chairman and Wells ward councillor John Tretheway said: "I was absolutely delighted with this decision, I'm sure it was the right one. I was very impressed with the very high quality of the many, many carefully crafted and thoughtful letters we had received from a wide range of local residents."

At the meeting, Coun Di Rayner said the proximity of Malvern Wells CE Primary School was a particular issue, adding that children would be "in the shadow of that mast".

"It's interesting that residents that I know don't have children, don't have grandchildren in that area, are still talking about the school, still talking about children," she said.

Coun Mary Wilkinson said the official link between radio masts and ill health may not be proved but residents had genuine fears about whether they are safe.

"The people in Whitehall may believe it, the scientists may believe it but the people of Well-and do not believe it," she said.

Vodafone now has the option of challenging the decision on appeal to a Government inspector.