5G phone mast near city playground approved

Plans to build a new mobile phone mast close to a children's playground have been approved.

Peterborough City Council backed the application, submitted by telecoms provider Cornerstone, for a 20-metre (66ft) high pole and associated green equipment cabinets on land between Mayor's Walk and Bourges Boulevard.

The new Virgin Media O2 pole, offering 5G signal, is being built due to a current one nearby being non-upgradeable.

No objections were raised, and planners said the mast must be erected in the next five years.

Properties along Gladstone Street would not have clear front-facing views of the pole and rear views would be "partially obscured" by a line of trees, according to Cornerstone.

The planning application stated: "The proposed site emerged as the best option in terms of location for the base installation as it's located as far as practicable from sensitive sites and residential land uses, whilst still being located in the cell area in a way that it can replicate the coverage footprint of the existing site."

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