Plans for 5G mobile phone mast at Chickerell

It would stands 15 metres tall, If it's approved by Dorset Council

Author: Faye Tryhorn & Trevor Bevins - Local Democracy ReporterPublished 19th Apr 2023

A new 5G mobile phone mast could be on its way for Chickerell, if plans get approved by Dorset Council.

An application's gone in for a 15 metre tall mast on the corner of East Street and Putton Lane, to increase coverage for phone users in South Dorset.

CK Hutchinson Networks has asked for permission saying the structure would be 'slim-line' so it's less detrimental to the local area, with equipment cabinets also being installed on site.

In a statement to Dorset Council they said:

“The very nature of installing new 5G mast infrastructure within such an urban setting requires a highly considered balance between the need to extend practical coverage reach with that of increasing risk of visual amenity intrusion.

"In this location, existing mast sites are not capable of supporting additional equipment compliment to extend coverage reach across the target area and prospective ‘in-fill’ mast sites are extremely limited. There is an acute need for a new base station to provide effective service coverage and in this case, the height of the proposed street pole is the minimum required to bring the benefits of 5G to this area.”

The company adds that capacity and coverage of digital services across Dorset remains poor with 70,000 having never been online.

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