Go Ahead for Preston 5G Mast

Council approves Vodafone's proposals to build a 20-metre high 5G mast in Preston.

14:25 30 September 2020

Preston City Council has approved plans to build a 5G mast on Eastway in Fulwood. The proposal for the 20-metre structure, which will have six supporting antennas, two transmission dishes, an equipment cabinet and an ancillary development, was submitted by Vodafone in July. 

 

The plans were approved on the condition that the development is completed within five years. Addressing health and safety concerns, documents submitted by Vodafone reads: "We recognise that the growth in mobile communication has led, in some cases, to public concern about perceived health effects of mobile technology, in particular about siting masts close to local communities.

 

"Quite naturally, the public seeks reassurance that masts are not in any way harmful or dangerous.

 

"We are committed to providing the latest independent peer-reviewed research findings, information, advice and guidance from national and international agencies on radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields.

 

"Cornerstone (who own Vodafone and O2) ensure that our radio base stations are designed and built so that the public are not exposed to radio frequency fields above the guidelines set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

 

"In fact, radio base stations operate at low power and emit levels of radiofrequency fields many times lower than the ICNIRP general public guidelines."

 

Vodafone also discussed the benefits that 5G technology can offer in their application. They said: "5G will provide a new level of underlying connectivity to transform services and create new digital ecosystems that will deliver cost and time savings and new amenities to the regions inhabitants.

 

"With the ability to connect one million devices per one kilometre square, 5G is to offer higher speeds and capacity than anything that has come before.

 

"Whether it be in the healthcare, transport, energy or retail sectors, 5G will reshape how we use these services and will bring substantial savings to households, businesses and councils."