Councillors and residents have spent weeks trying to halt the scheme and started a petition collecting dozens of signatures.

But their objections have been to no avail, and the 10m mast will be installed on Leeds Road just 150yds from Gawthorpe J&I School and nursery.

Coun Alec Metcalf said: “I am devastated that this scheme has been passed. It was primarily the younger children we were concerned about and the effects that the mast may have on them.

“Like so many things, where was the local consultation? We have fears over the long-term effect of this kind of equipment and long-term effects are often discovered the hard way.

“I know that the company defended the plans and it might even be right. But I do wonder what is known about the effects on really young children as a result of these telecommunications masts.”

School staff and worried parents also voiced serious concerns about the mobile phone mast’s proximity to children. Headteacher Sue Vickerman said parents had written letters of objections to Wakefield Council.

A spokesman for T-Mobile (UK) said: “Naturally we are pleased that the site has been approved by the council. A good mobile phone network is a vital part of local infrastructure – just like water, electricity or fixed lines.

“Increasingly people are using their mobile phones at home in place of landlines and additional sites are necessary. This base station provides third generation (3G) mobile phones with a network to make voice and data calls.

“In terms of health, we would refer people to the World Health Organisation which, after reviewing all the studies over 15 years, has said there is no cause for concern.”