Town councillors have unanimously objected to plans to install a 15-metre high 5G mast next to Kenilworth Cemetery.

Having been refused planning permission for a similar scheme elsewhere in the town last year, CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Limited has submitted an application to Warwick District Council for the communications pole on Oaks Road.

The company - which owns telecommunications and internet service provider Three - said there is an "acute" need for the station to "provide effective service coverage" in the area.

But town councillors said next to the cemetery was not an appropriate location.

"I think there are some issues here, particularly proximity to the cemetery," said Cllr Andrew Milton at last week's Kenilworth Town Council planning meeting.

"I did check through the neighbourhood plan, and I couldn't see that it had any special status.

"However, it is clearly a valuable and sensitive green space in the town. So we could say siting it near the cemetery is inappropriate."

Designs for the proposed 5G mast (image via planning application)

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Cllr Adrian Marsh agreed, saying: "I think it is an inappropriate location, it is a sensitive location in the town.

"And the architectural merits of the obelisk they are proposing are also inappropriate in the location."

Councillors also questioned the height of the structure, its colour and the proximity to both St John's Primary School and Clinton Primary School.

And members also questioned whether any other sites had been considered for the mast.

"It would be good to know why they have chosen the location," added Cllr Alan Chalmers.

"Do they have a justification? Do we know if they have looked at other locations?"

When the plans were submitted, CK Hutchinson said the mast was the minimum height required.

The application said "high-speed mobile connectivity is the lifeblood of a community" and the mast would provide "access to vital services" as well as "facilitating the increased need and demand for working from home".

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See the latest planning application here.