CONTROVERSIAL plans to replace a phone mast are set to get the go ahead at a meeting next week.

Telefonica, which owns O2, submitted an application to remove a 23-metre mast in Witney Road, Eynsham and replace it with a 20-metre one, together with associated antennas, radio equipment cabinets and ancillary development works.

Council documents reveal 19 letters of representation have been received, all objecting to the application, for reasons such as ‘concerns over future health issues of residents and school children’ and ‘noise pollution’.

The mast is set to provide improved Vodafone and new Telefonica services to the area, and could eventually lead to 5G services.

Read again: 5G mast causing concern for locals

According to the proposals, the existing tower is now ‘outdated’ and cannot be upgraded to allow the base station to provide 4G and 5G services for Telefonica and Vodafone.

The base station currently only provides 2G and 3G Vodafone services.

West Oxfordshire District Council’s lowlands area planning sub-committee will sit on Monday with the officer recommending to approve.

Council documents show that Eynsham Parish Council has no objection to the application, subject to assurance being provided that radiation output limits specific to the locality are being complied with.

The council meeting is set to take place between 2pm and 5pm.

To view the plans, search for application number 20/03105/FUL on the district council website.

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