Plans to build a 15-metre high 5G mast next to Old Deer Park in Richmond have been put forward to Richmond Council.

Cignal Infrastructure Limited UK has applied for planning permission for the communications mast on Twickenham Road.

If approved, the scheme would see the communication pole and associated equipment installed on a grass verge next to Pools on the Park.

In its application the Reading-based firm said is it "committed to providing improved network coverage and capacity", mainly in expanding its 5G services.

The application 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 facilitating the increased need and demand for working from home, as well as enjoying access to social, media and gaming for leisure time activities."

It added: "The very nature of installing new 5G mast infrastructure within such an urban setting requires a highly considered balance between the need to extend practical coverage reach with that of increasing risk of visual amenity intrusion. 

"In this location, existing mast sites are not capable of supporting additional equipment compliment to extend coverage reach across the target area and prospective 'in-fill' mast sites are extremely limited."

Cignal said it also looked at building the mast on Sheendale Road, Manor Circus and two locations on Lower Mortlake Road.

But the firm ruled out all four sites, saying they were too close to nearby houses.

One of the Lower Mortlake Road spots was discounted because the pavement was too narrow. 

Drawings of the plans. (Photo Credit: Planning Application).

"Government considers that high-speed mobile connectivity is the lifeblood of a community," the application added. 

"Cignal Infrastructure UK is committed to providing improved network coverage and capacity, most notably in relation to 5G services.

"Taking into account the site-specific factors and technical constraints, available options and planning constraints, it is considered that the proposed street pole clearly represents the optimum environmental solution to extend coverage to the target community.

"The use of the public highway to accommodate a new telecommunications installation complies with both central government and local planning policy guidance, where the underlying aim is to provide an efficient and competitive telecommunication system for the benefit of the community, while minimising visual impact."