APPROVAL has been sought for the upgrade of an existing telecoms installation.

Three has applied to Copeland Borough Council’s planning department for permission to upgrade their telecoms installation on Albion Street in Whitehaven.

In their statement, the mobile network giant expressed a desire to increase coverage in the area.

They said: “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 working from home, as well as enjoying access to social, media and gaming for leisure time activities.”

If approved, the plan would see the removal and replacement of three antennas onto the existing poles, the re-location of an existing microwave dish at a lower height of 500mm and the installation of one new cabinet into a new concrete base.

The application involves the removal and replacement of one existing cabinet with the installation of ancillary equipment.

Three said: “We consider upgrading an existing installation rather than adding a new one is best suited to extend high-speed mobile coverage to the target community.

“The scheme is also considered to fit with the Local Authority’s critical role in delivering the UK Government’s Digital connectivity vision and provides a basis for the Council to support the request for plans to speed up digital infrastructure rollout, as outlined by Ministers on the 27th of August 2020.”

In their pre-application letter Dot Surveying said that there is a gap in network coverage for the area.

The company has said it supports the UK Government’s “ambition to be a global leader in the next generation of mobile technology set out within its March 2017white paper, ‘Next Generation Mobile Technologies: A 5G strategy for the UK.’”

In their pre-application letter,

The plan is to facilitate the ability to provide 5G internet speeds in the area.

Residents have a right to comment on planning applications submitted for their area.

To comment on this application visit: www.copeland.gov.uk/planning/application/42123810f1