Controversial plans for the installation a 15-metre high 5G broadband pole in Carlisle have been refused by the council.

In April, Carlisle City Council received an application for the mast next to the Sainsbury’s service station on Bridge Street, submitted by Hutchison 3G Ltd.

The fifth generation (5G) of mobile wireless communications technology is thought to be capable of delivering browsing and download speeds 10 to 20 times faster than the 4G network.

In the proposals submitted to the city council, the applicant stated:

“There is now a requirement to upgrade the UK H3G (Three) network to provide improved coverage and capacity, most notably in relation to 5G services.

“Options are extremely limited and the only viable solution that minimises amenity issues has been put forward.

“Three are in the process of building out the UK’s fastest 5G network.

“Three has 140MHz of 5G spectrum, which means our service will be much faster and able to handle more data.

“To bring this new technology to the people H3G will need to provide a mix of upgrades to existing sites and the building of new sites.

They added: “New sites will be needed for many reasons, including that the higher radio frequencies used for 5G do not travel as far as those frequencies currently in use and that sometimes not all existing sites can be upgraded.

"In this area there is an acute need for a new mast to deliver the above.”

However, on June 23, Carlisle City Council refused permission for the pole saying firstly that such proposals would need prior approval.

"Prior approval is required to ensure that the erection of ground based telecommunications apparatus and any associated works do not create unacceptable impacts.

"So, before determining whether or not prior approval from the Council will be required for the prior approval matters, the Council must first determine whether the proposed works comply with the permitted development criteria.

They also concluded that the pole would be not lend itself well in terms of its appearance among the existing streetscene.

They said: "The proposed mast by virtue of its height and design would be a prominent and obtrusive feature within the existing streetscene, detrimental to the character and appearance of the existing streetscene and the visual amenity of the area."

You can view this application at carlisle.gov.uk.

Use the reference: 21/0002.