Victory over phone mast

It's a typically modern confrontation. On one side stands a powerful multinational company intent on expanding its empire. On the other, a group of local residents determined to safeguard their neighbourhood against a perceived health risk.

Usually the outcome is a foregone conclusion in favour of commercial interests. But on this occasion a determined group of mothers has won.

Anxious parents and residents have forced mobile phone giant 02 to retreat over its plans to erect a mobile phone mast on top of a church tower in the heart of Notting Hill.

The rebellion persuaded the vicar of All Saints Notting Hill to turn down as much as £10,000 annual rent offered by 02 in return for placing the mast on his tower - money which would have proved invaluable in restoring the Victorian Gothic church.

The church has long been a central feature of the neighbourhood and was the first to welcome West Indian immigrants in the Fifties. But this time it found itself out of step with the local community.

Residents clashed with representatives from the mobile phone company in an angry meeting at which they demanded the church call a halt to negotiations over siting the mast on the building, in Colville Gardens.

Actress Susanne Guyler, who has appeared in EastEnders and Holby City, said: "The vicar was tempted because O2 offered him a financial reward. But our pressure forced them to back down. They wanted to put the mast directly above two schools and overlooking a children's play area, when in fact little is really known about the long term health risks of these things."

When All Saints and Kensington and Chelsea council began to ask residents what they thought of the plan, the answer was clear. Petitions were collected and meetings staged.

O2 was faced with demands for assurances over the risk of radiation from the planned mast's transmissions. Parents whose children use the Montessori school and Pimento after-school group, both next to the church, were particularly anxious.

Mother of two Joanna Samak, 32, whose children, three and five, attend the Montessori school, said: "It's such a relief the mast won't be going up now. There's not enough information about the dangers of these masts and what there is is often contradictory. "

Father John Brownsell acknowledged he had been forced to back down by the weight of local opinion. In a letter to residents he stated: "As a sign of our commitment to the welfare of the whole community we are taking the matter no further."

His letter went on: "Sadly for us, this represents the loss of a guaranteed source of substantial regular income which we would have been able to use to help maintain and conserve our magnificent church."

With the letter Father Brownsell enclosed a collection envelope, appealing for donations. Meanwhile, 02 has lost no time in finding an alternative site - on a commercial building a few hundred yards away.