PLANS have been submitted to Somerset Council to attain permission to install a 30 metre tall phone mast in Bridgwater.

Icon Tower Infrastructure Limited have applied to install a 30m lattice mast, supporting six antennas and two 60cm dishes at Plot H of the Parrett Way industrial estate.

The proposed tower would replace an existing compound and mast on the site standing at 17 metres tall.

In a cover letter submitted to the council, the applicant explained why the replacement is needed.

"The new base station is required due to the existing mast being unsuitable for the necessary upgrade of equipment," said Entrust on behalf of Icon Tower.

"Additionally, the proposed mast will future proof the site as it has the capacity to host multiple operators’ equipment and the ability to host 5G technologies, which the existing mast lacks."

The application also stated that all installations by Icon Tower are designed to be 'fully compliant with public exposure guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).'

ICNIRP has already issued a certificate of compliance for the proposed Bridgwater tower, and the guidelines are backed by the UK Government, the European Union, and the World Health Organisation.

To keep up to date with the application, search the reference number 08/24/00017 on the Somerset Council website.

Public consultation is now open and comments are welcomed until Monday, February 12 - approval could be given from the following day.