PLANS to install new, 5G equipment in a Somerset town have been submitted.

Mobile operator EE has applied to Sedgemoor District Council for planning permission to upgrade a current mast adjacent to the A38 Taunton Road, near the Skoda car dealership and Ford Fuel Oils, in North Petherton.

The scheme would see the current equipment upgraded to 'ensure a continued and reliable network coverage which also offers the highest possible speeds' for communications, the applications says.

"The replacement antennae will provide improved capacity of 4G and 5G services in the area, which will ensure higher mobile download speeds and reliable mobile phone connections," it adds.

The mast will be 15 metres tall - the same as the current one - and six apertures and a dish antenna.

Applicants Dalcour Maclaren, on behalf of EE, say the nearest homes are more than 464m away from the site, separated by the industrial area, the M5 and fields.

"The site is accessed from Market Way off Taunton Road, and does not require any alterations to the existing access route," the application says.

"The proposed development will not require any significant tree or vegetation clearance to facilitate installation (and) the site has been chosen as it is an existing operational mast, which has been assessed to require upgrade works.

"It has been identified to meet the technical specifications for the telecommunications apparatus, whilst ensuring visual impact on the surrounding area is minimised."

Residents have until July 25 2021 to comment on the application.

For full details of the plan, and to comment, log on to www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/planning, application reference 37/21/00078.