Plans have been submitted to build a new 5G mast outside Welwyn Garden City ambulance station.

The application has been made by EE and CK Hutchison Networks, better known as Three, and would see the installation of a 17.5m high "phase five tower and associated ancillary works" in Ascots Lane

The site, close to the New QEII Hospital, is jointly owned by the mobile network providers, and the mast would replace a previous installation close to the hospital that was vacated as per the terms of a lease agreement.

"The recent application is to replace an installation which was housed at the New QEII Hospital," read a joint statement from EE and CK Hutchison Networks.

"We were asked to vacate the property by the site owner as per the terms of our lease arrangements.

"To maintain the network coverage in the area for both EE & Three, a relocated site is necessary.

READ MORE: Plans submitted for four-home development near Welwyn Garden City

"The application is the same design and location as a previously approved site dating back to 2018. Unfortunately, the planning consent is no longer valid due to the time which has passed as set out in Local Planning Policy, hence a new application is required.

"It is important to note that EE will be taking over the emergency services network provision and this forms an important aspect of the wider Emergency Services Network.

"As the previous application was granted consent it is considered that the revised application is an acceptable proposal for this location."

Some residents have already objected to the plans, calling the mast "unsightly".

"Having the sight of this unsightly tower in my view would not only cause me great stress but also reduce the value of my property, if I were to sell later on," one resident said.

"At the moment the view from my garden is already clouded with two towers and one that makes an awful persistent humming sound so adding to it would be extremely annoying and upsetting preventing us from using our garden."

To view the planning application in full, visit planning.welhat.gov.uk/Search, and search 6/2023/2502/PN15.