RESIDENTS are celebrating after an Assembly inspector refused an appeal by a mobile phone company to build a mast in their community.

Locals in the Lodge Road area of Caerleon welcomed the decision by an Assembly inspector to back Newport Council's original decision to refuse T-Mobile permission to build the 12 metre mast on Lodge Road.

Turning down the appeal, the Assembly inspector said the mast would "be harmful to the character and appearance of the area".

He said he had not been convinced there was no other suitable site that would have less of an impact on residents.

The report added land at the nearby University of Wales campus may provide a more suitable site for the mast.

Local residents had raised concerns about the possible visual impact, health risks and the proposed mast's close proximity to nearby schools and homes.

But the inspector said residents' "sincere" health concerns did not influence his decision as the mast would have met all safety guidelines.

The news comes just months after campaigners forced another mobile phone company, O2, to reconsider plans to build their own mast in the Lodge Road area.

Protestors stopped contractors from carrying out their work after they moved in because a legal loophole granted them permission by default.

Lodge Road resident Adrian Lumbard said: "The mast would have been far too close to residents.

"It would have been a monstrosity so are pleased with the decision."

Rosemary Butler, the Assembly Member for Newport West, who supported the campaign, added: "This was a victory for common sense. Mobile phone masts are needed but this was a thoroughly unsuitable site and I hope that an alternative can now be found."