TWO network providers have served a statutory notice to the Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to carry out survey works to erect a 5G mast just outside the council building.

EE Limited and Hutchinson 3G Limited served the notice to carry out the survey for the mast in the north-western corner of the staff car park in Beech Hurst under the Electronic Communications Code.

The survey work is to establish if the site is suitable for a 20-metre-high telecommunications mast and associated equipment.

A cabinet meeting of the council on Wednesday, October 26, considered the notice and the members were forced to vote in favour of allowing the survey.

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The council officer recommended that the survey work be allowed to avoid legal issues later.

Based on the survey, if a request for the erection of a mast itself is made in the future, this will be subject to a separate decision.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, TVBC leader Cllr Phil North said the phone companies were operating in an “opaque” way.

He added: “We [the council] have got no power over this rule.

“I think there are more appropriate locations outside of Beech Hurst for this mast and we will continue to correspond with the company and have a conversation with them about operating more transparently.”