AN 18-METRE tall 5G mast planned in Dalry could be set to improve limited mobile coverage.

Plans would see the 18m monopole located at Roche Way Dalry – with the height of the pole “kept to an absolute minimum”.

Plans state: “CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd is committed to providing improved network coverage and capacity, most notably in relation to 5G services.

“In these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recognised that high-speed mobile connectivity is the lifeblood of a Community; facilitating educational benefits, providing access to vital services, improving communications with the associated commercial benefits for local businesses, enabling ecommerce and working from home, as well as enjoying access to social, media and gaming for leisure time activities.

“The pre-consultation invited comments within a two-week period and while the merits of highspeed telecommunications are generally recognised; pre-application has identified the need to carefully consider the risk of increased visual amenity to adjoining residential properties through the siting of telecommunications infrastructure within urban settings.

“The very nature of 5G and the network services it provides, means the equipment and antennas are quite different to the previous, and existing, service requirements.

“In particular, the design of the antennas, and the separation required from other items of associated equipment, is such that we cannot utilise certain structures that provide a means of support for another operator, most notably in a street works or highways environment.

“The height of the pole has been kept to an absolute minimum, allowing the installation to provide this essential new 5G coverage to the intended target area.”