The green light has been given to plans for a 30-metre high 5G mast at Kenilworth's Bullimore Wood.

Icon Tower Infrastructure Limited has received prior approval for the development off Leamington Road which will replace an existing mast which is only 15 metres high.

The application said the new structure will be used by multiple operators - "consolidating equipment on to one single, multi-user mast". 

"Icon increases the competition in this growing sector, which the government recognises to be in the public interest," the application said.

"This is through the provision of additional shared sites to aid the deployment of 5G and future technologies in a cost effective manner that reduces the costs of the network operators.

"In turn this can translate into more competitive pricing for the general public consumers of their network services."

Some 16 objections were submitted to the application, raising concerns about "public health", lack of need and the impact on the character of the area.

A view across Leamington Road to the new houses being built at Kenilworth Gate (image via planning application)

But a council report signing off on the plans said: "Having considered the siting and appearance of the mast, it is considered that it would not cause unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the area and is therefore is acceptable.

"Officers consider that the applicant has successfully demonstrated that the proposed location of the mast apparatus is the one which results in the least visual harm to the surrounding area so far as practicable."

Icon says the trees at Bullimore will provide complete screening for the mast.

And explaining the need to double the height of the pole, Icon explained: "In order to provide coverage to the area, the height of 30m is required to clear the tree line for the foreseeable future.

"Therefore, the proposed mast is taller in height and wider to be a shareable structure and support multiple operators.

"The existing mast is below the tree line and therefore it is unlikely to be providing adequate coverage.

"In order for the antennas to remain above the tree line and to avoid the need for future tree lobbing, a 30m height was considered the most appropriate option."

Planning permission is also currently being sought by Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd for another 5G mast further down Leamington Road.

See the full application here.