By John Baron
Plans for a 21 metre-high mobile phone mast at Crawshaw Academy in Pudsey have been submitted to Leeds City Council.
The proposals include the demolition of an existing 15m monopole supporting six antennas behind the astroturf floodlit pitch off Kent Road and replacing with a new 5G monopole supporting a total of nine antennas.
A design statement submitted with the plans says mobile network operators Vodafone and Telefonica are in the process of upgrading their existing network coverage wherever possible in order to match the increasing demand for mobile data usage and coverage.
The report adds: “As part of this continued network improvement program, there is a specific technical requirement to improve existing network coverage in and around the area of Pudsey and the requirement for an upgraded site has been identified.
“Mobiles can only work with a network of base stations in place where people want to use their mobile phones or other wireless devices. Without base stations, the mobile phones and other devices we rely on simple won’t work.”
The plans can be viewed in full here.