AN ANDOVER Street could soon be home to a brand new 18 metre 5G mast, it has been revealed.

Telecommunications company Three has applied to Test Valley Borough Council to consider whether it will need prior approval in order to install the pole, as well as a wrap-around cabinet and three further equipment cabinets as part of network upgrades on Western Avenue.

Plans show that the mast would be located on Western Avenue, close to Bridge Street and on the edge of the Andover Conservation Area.

The application was considered by members of Andover Town Council on Monday, September 13, who unanimously decided that they would be recommending it go through an approval process.

Cllr Nigel Long said: “This is on the edge of a conservation area. Personally, I think it would be an eyesore and detrimental to the area. There is already an 18-metre high pole by the Baptist Church.

“This would be right in your face. It could be better places elsewhere. I know we need telecommunications, but there are better areas where it could be installed.”

Agreeing, Cllr Barbara Long added: “This needs prior approval, they need to apply properly for it.

“It’s an 18-metre pole right in front of businesses, where people walk. It’s not the appropriate place.”

She continued: “It’s right next to the dual-carriageway coming in, and according to the Masterplan that areas’ going to be developed, and it’s going to be an eyesore.”

Andover Advertiser: The proposed location is Western AvenueThe proposed location is Western Avenue

In planning documents, a spokesperson for Three wrote: “H3G (Three) 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 e-commerce and facilitating the increased need and demand for 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.”