Plans for 20-metre tall 5G mast in centre of Northampton's St James area submitted to council

A plan has been put to the borough council to build a 20m-tall 5G mast in the centre of Northampton's St James area.

The spot on the pavement on Harlestone Road, outside the Iceland supermarket, has been put to the council as the "ideal" location to provide 5G coverage to "the Spencer area of Northampton."

A report put to the borough council claims the list of places the 20m-tall pole - commissioned by Three Mobile - can be built is strictly limited by factors like the number of homes nearby, how close it is to other mobile masts and how it would affect residents' view form their houses.

This means surveyors reportedly only had a "strict number" of places they could consider placing the mast - and have the spot in St James "ideal".

A letter from a senior borough council environmental health officer, Gavin Smith, also reassures that the development is in line with guidance by the National Radiological Protection Board and "will not be a significant health hazard."

5G mobile coverage uses higher frequency radio waves to handle larger amount of mobile data than can be carried by 4G or 3G - but this means the masts have a shorter range than other mobile masts.

A report by the mast's developer, Hutchison 3G, reads: "There is now a requirement to upgrade the UK H3G (Three) network to provide improved coverage and capacity, most notably in relation to 5G services.

"New sites will be needed for many reasons, including that the higher radio frequencies used for 5G do not travel as far as those frequencies currently in use... In this area there is an acute need for a new mast to deliver the above.

"The height of the pole has been kept down to the absolute minimum capable of providing the required essential new 5G coverage.

"We would repeat that we have carefully placed and designed the scheme to ensure the principles of good siting and appearance are adhered to. The overall impact of the installation on the environment is limited."

The mast is not the first of its kind to support 5G in Northampton. Coverage has already by rolled out to areas of the town by O2 and EE.

Several neighbouring houses and businesses to the proposed mast in Harlestone Road have been invited to comment on the plan in a public consultation set to close on June 6.