AN APPLICATION has been submitted for the installation of a 4G and 5G mast in Copeland.

Copeland Borough Council has received an application for planning permission to remove and replace an existing 12-metre-high telecommunications pole with a 20 metre high telecommunications lattice tower.

The new telecoms tower will support three radio antennas, two transmission dishes and ancillary equipment along with ground-based cabinets.

Plans involve a site on Low Stowbank Farm, Kirkland Road in Ennerdale.

The applicant said that the installation would have operational benefits for emergency services, health care and people working from home.

In their supporting statements, Cellnex said that rural communities in the UK are currently undersupplied with mobile connectivity and “5G could bring countless economic benefits to areas which currently have little or no mobile connectivity.”

The application has been submitted on behalf of 3G in conjunction with Mobile Broadband Network Limited.

A Planning Statement prepared for Copeland Borough Council’s planning panel said: “The surrounding area is predominantly agricultural and includes open fields, trees and rolling hills.

“The Lake District National Park is situated approximately 0.6 kilometres to the south.”

Cellnex said that the coverage will be vastly improved in rural Copeland if the plans are approved.

“As detailed within the recent pre-application consultation, upgrading the installation will bring a reliable, high-speed communications network to the surrounding area which is largely rural.”

The tower, which will form part of the MBNL network, will be transparent, it is for this reason that the applicant believes the 20 metre structure will blend into the existing buildings and wider area, which features trees and hills.

MBNL is a joint venture between mobile network giants, EE and Three, to provide “best-in-class” mobile infrastructure services” to their customers.

The public can view and comment on all applications submitted to Copeland Council for approval.

To view applications submitted for your area, visit: https://www.copeland.gov.uk/planning