PLANS for a new 5G mast to be built in Wibsey have been given the go ahead by Bradford Council.

It means the new 15 metre tall monopole, with ancillary works and three cabinets, can now be put up in Moore Avenue, Wibsey, to give residents in the village access to the latest, high-speed wireless connectivity.

CK Hutchison, better known as mobile provider Three, will be responsible for the mast.

It said Councillors had said residents had been concerned about telephone masts in the street previously so sent a consultation to residents and received no response.

Three said the site had been “carefully selected” and will be based on a wide area of pavement near Kenmore Road near existing lamp posts and a bus stop, in front of a row of shops.

Three said: “The Government considers high-speed mobile connectivity to be the lifeblood of a community, and we are committed to providing improved network coverage and capacity, most notably with 5G.

“We consider this 15m mast clearly represents the optimum environmental solution to extend coverage to the target community.

“It’s been recognised in the unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic that high speed connectivity is the lifeblood of a community, providing access to vital services, improving communications with the associated benefits for local businesses, enabling e-commerce and working from home, as well as access to social media, media and gaming for leisure activities.”

Bradford Council said that prior approval from the authority is not required for work to go ahead, meaning erection of the mast can take place.