A NEW broadband communications pole in Kendal and a 5G mast in Ulverston are due to be installed after plans have gone through with prior approval not required.

A nine-metre electronic communication pole is due to be erected in Kendal following an application from Openreach on behalf of BT.

The Stramongate site where the broadband electronic communications apparatus is going to be set up is in a Kendal conservation area but not within a site of special scientific interest (SSI), according to the plans.

The apparatus will be a one by nine metre pole and used to help boost the network controlled by the operator.

In addition to this there will also be improvements made to an existing 25m Telecoms mast at Canal Side in Ulverston.

The application seeks to “remove six antennas, one cabinet, and all ancillary development and installation of six antennas, two cabinets and ancillary equipment”.

The idea is to improve and update the existing mobile communications service in the area.

South Lakeland District Council have confirmed that their approval is not required for either application and the applicant is only required to give formal notification of 28 days in accordance with the electronic communications code.

According to Openreach, more than 12,000 homes and businesses can already order ultrafast, ultra-reliable full fibre broadband – around half of which were built as part of the Connecting Cumbria broadband partnership with Cumbria County Council.

Openreach recently made a number of announcements on its latest build plans across Cumbria where more than 100,000 additional homes and businesses in mainly rural and harder to serve areas will get access to ultrafast fibre broadband.

Openreach is investing £15 billion to build its ultrafast full fibre technology to a total of 25 million premises across the UK, including more than six million in the hardest-to-serve parts of the country by the end of 2026.

The communications company have announced multiple ‘broadband boosts’ in rural areas in recent months, with Newbiggin near Carlisle being one of the most recent recipients highlighted in the county.

Openreach ‘s aim is that both of these proposals in Kendal and Ulverston can help boost the network for both areas in South Lakeland.