PLANS for a 25 metre 5G mast at an Andover industrial state have been put forward to the borough council for consideration.

The mast, intended for East Portway Industrial Estate on McAdam Way, would replace the existing 15 metre structure currently on the site, and would lie approximately six metres further West.

The proposal, being put forward by telecommunication companies EE and three is for the removal of the existing equipment, to be replaced by a 25 metre high lattice tower supporting six antenna apertures and four 600mm dishes, as well as the installation of up to eight cabinets.

In planning documents, the companies say it will “accommodate 5G technology which will have ultra-fast mobile connectivity” and “enhance existing 4G services and introduce new 5G services for customers on EE and Three’s network”.

They continue: “This is in addition to providing 4G services from the site. This upgraded infrastructure will provide higher mobile down-load speeds and more reliable, quicker mobile phone connections. There would be increased capacity to provide services to a higher number of people at the same time.”

The documents add that 25 metres is the “minimum eight possible” to cope with the level of equipment needed.

They state: “Despite it being acknowledged that there will be some visual change to this site, due to technical constraints, the design cannot be reduced any further, and although it is acknowledged that the installation may cause some level of visual harm to the area, it is considered that the benefits to the network brought by this proposal will outweigh this harm.”

Andover Town Council’s planning committee submitted “no objection” to the plans..

Cllr Robin Hughes said: “It’s better than where it was!”

The application will now be considered by Test Valley Borough Council.

You can view the full application details at https://view-applications.testvalley.gov.uk/online-applications using reference 21/03011/FULLN.