NEW 5G towers reaching heights of 25-metres tall could be built in two villages near Bridgwater as plans have been submitted to Somerset Council.

Icon Tower Infrastructure Ltd has applied to erect their new telecommunications equipment at Puriton Sports Centre, in Puriton, and at the Granary on Blackmore Farm, in Cannington.

In Puriton, the applicant seeks permission for the installation of telecommunications equipment including a base station installation comprising of one 25m lattice tower, 12 antennas on two headframes, six ground based cabinets, one meter cabinet and associated ancillary development, including compound fencing.

In Cannington, a similar application hopes to be granted permission to install new telecommunications equipment, comprising of one 25m lattice mast, another electricity transmission tower, six cabinets, twelve antennas on two headframes, four 600mm diameter transmission link dishes, and associated ancillary development.

The applicant stated that new 5G towers are essential and in the public's best interest for optimum mobile connectivity.

They also explained why the proposed new towers are comprised of so many components.

"The new technology is bigger and more complex, the antennas are multiband and need to be supported by an increased number of ancillaries," the applicant wrote.

"In real terms, the loads that these equipment configurations amount to means that large numbers of ground based masts in the UK are no longer able to support the networks and need to be replaced by stronger more capable structures."

For more information on the Puriton plans, search reference 42/24/00011 on Somerset Council's online planning portal - or search 13/24/00005 for the Cannington application.

Public consultation on both sets of plans is now open, and comments are welcomed until Friday, May 17 - a decision could be made from the following day.

Sedgemoor planning roundup 

The following planning applications were received by Somerset Council between April 12 and April 19.

For more details, and to comment on applications, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land.

Application Number: 02/24/00007

Parish/Town Council: Axbridge

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: Moorland Farm, Portmeade Drove, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2BA

Proposal: Conversion of single storey outbuilding to 1no. dwelling.

Application Number: 08/24/00040

Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: 46 Bristol Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4BN

Proposal: Change of use from a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO Class C4) to a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO Sui Generis) to accommodate up to a maximum of 8 people in 8 rooms.

Application Number: 08/24/00055

Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: 48 Camden Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3HD

Proposal: Installation of a dormer roof extension to the rear (East) elevation & loft conversion.

Application Number: 08/24/00056

Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: 7 Clare Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3EN

Proposal: Proposed conversion of first and second floor of existing commercial unit to 2no. dwellings with existing ground floor to remain as a commercial unit.

Application Number: 11/24/00030

Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: Tudor Lodge Residential Care Home, 8 Brightstowe Road, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2HW

Proposal: Erection of a single-storey extension to the side (East) elevation.

Application Number: 13/24/00005

Parish/Town Council: Cannington

Type: Telecommunications Determination

Location: Electronic Communications Apparatus at the Granary, Blackmore Farm, Blackmore Lane, Cannington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5

Proposal: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed installation of new telecommunications equipment, comprising 1no. 25m lattice mast, 1no. electricity transmission tower, 6no. cabinets, 12no. antennas on 2no. headframes, 4no. 600mm diameter transmission link dishes and ancillary development thereto.

Application Number: 14/24/00003

Parish/Town Council: Catcott

Type: Cert. of Lawfulness for Proposed Use/Dev

Location: The Old School House, Old School Lane, Catcott, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9HE

Proposal: Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness of a Proposed extension to the side (North) elevation.

Application Number: 17/24/00005

Parish/Town Council: Cheddar

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: 2 Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3RB

Proposal: Erection of a single-storey to the rear (East) elevation on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished) and the incorporation of an external WC and installation of a loft conversion.

Application Number: 17/24/00010

Parish/Town Council: Cheddar

Type: Notice of Proposed Agricultural Devt.

Location: Rookery Farm, Hill Lane, Nyland, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3UD

Proposal: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed erection of an agricultural building on the site of existing (to be demolished).

Application Number: 22/24/00002

Parish/Town Council: Cossington

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: Land to the South of, Cossington Park, Middle Road, Cossington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7

Proposal: Change of use of land from agricultural to car parking including the construction of a new access track and the erection of a workshop/storage building.

Application Number: 33/24/00003

Parish/Town Council: Mark

Type: Prior Approval Agricultural to Dwelling

Location: Land to the North of, Yardwall House, Yardwall Road, Mark, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9

Proposal: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to 3no. Dwellinghouses (Class C3), and associated building operations.

Application Number: 37/23/00134

Parish/Town Council: North Petherton

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: Land Adjacent To, Chapel Road, Fordgate, Bridgwater, Somerset

Proposal: Erection of 2no. dwellings and associated works on site of 5no. agricultural buildings (to be demolished).

Application Number: 37/24/00038

Parish/Town Council: North Petherton

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: 8 Broadlands Avenue, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 6QP

Proposal: Erection of a two-storey side (South) extension and single-storey extension to the rear (East) elevation. Erection of a replacement porch to the front (West) elevation and demolition of the existing garage.

Application Number: 37/24/00040

Parish/Town Council: North Petherton

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: Linhay Barn, Parkers Field House, Parkers Field, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 6PN

Proposal: Erection of 1no. dwelling and formation of access, turning area, and parking provisions.

Application Number: 37/24/00043

Parish/Town Council: North Petherton

Type: Removal of Hedgerows

Location: Land to the North of Park Lane, and South of, Huntworth Lane, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7

Proposal: The 2No. 5m section of hedgerow (H1 & H2) is to be removed in order to facilitate the construction of a new rising main and gravity sewer between North Petherton Water Recycling Centre (WRC) and a new development proposed at Junction 24 of the M5. Once the works have been completed, the hedgerow will be reinstated as per STD/836, using a species mix to match the surrounding hedgerows.

Application Number: 41/24/00006

Parish/Town Council: Pawlett

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: 32 Quantock Rise, Pawlett, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4SD

Proposal: Installation of a dormer to the rear West elevation and roof extension.

Application Number: 42/24/00010

Parish/Town Council: Puriton

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: Gravity, Woolavington Road, Puriton, Bridgwater, Somerset

Proposal: Full planning application for the construction of pedestrian and cycle route including landscaping and associated infrastructure.

Application Number: 42/24/00011

Parish/Town Council: Puriton

Type: Telecommunications Determination

Location: Electronic Communications Apparatus at, Puriton Sports Centre, Church Field Lane, Puriton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7

Proposal: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed installation of telecommunications equipment including base station installation comprising 1no. 25m lattice tower, 12no. antennas on 2.no headframes, 6no. ground-based cabinets, 1no. meter cabinet and ancillary development thereto including compound fencing.

Application Number: 44/24/00004

Parish/Town Council: Shipham

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: Fernacre, Bristol Road, Star, Winscombe, BS25 1QB

Proposal: Erection of a detached garage/home office on the site of existing timber stores/stables (to be demolished).

Application Number: 49/24/00007

Parish/Town Council: Weare

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: The Mill House, Notting Hill Way, Stone Allerton, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2NG

Proposal: Siting of a lodge for holiday occupancy.

Application Number: 50/24/00020

Parish/Town Council: Wedmore

Type: Full Planning Permission

Location: Walnut Tree Farm, Heath House, Wedmore, BS28 4UJ

Proposal: Conversion of a barn to a 1no. dwelling, including alterations to the roof and the formation of the associated parking and garden.