Increase in home-working prompts planning application for new mobile phone mast near Marne Inn on Thorley Park

A new mobile telephone mast is proposed near the Marne Inn at Thorley Park to cope with increased demand for home-working connections because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 65ft (20m) high monopole with nine antennae will come with four equipment cabinets. A further cabinet will be relocated as part of plans to replace the existing 38ft (11.7m) mast.

H3G (UK) Ltd, which applied to East Herts Council for planning permission, says: "The proposed replacement mast has been sited and designed in order to provide 5G coverage and to support the existing mobile network.

"At present, it is paramount that digital connectivity is supported and maintained throughout the country. In particular, the current massive shift in user demand from city centre and places of work to residential areas and suburbs requires an improvement in coverage and capacity throughout the whole network."

The new equipment will allow the network to handle more data and connect more devices simultaneously at faster speeds.