50ft telecommunication pole intended for grass verge in Greater Manchester city

Wigan Town Hall planners have been notified of plans to erect a 50ft telecommunications mast on a grass verge in Atherton. Under legislation introduced by the last government, there is no requirement for Blackburn-based IX Wireless Ltd to apply for planning permission.

The steel pole will support fiber cables and radio antenna, and an electronic communications closet will be located on Hillside Avenue.

A planning statement submitted to the Wigan planning portal by IX says: “Ensuring the wide availability of high-speed gigabit-capable broadband is a central part of the government’s national infrastructure strategy.

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“Both the Government and OFCOM recognize the significant commercial and social benefits of improved telecommunications infrastructure and the Government has set a target for at least 85% of the UK to have a gigabit-capable broadband connection available by 2025 and the a little over 99% by 2030.”

IX says 20% of the network’s bandwidth capacity is earmarked for use in connection with digital social inclusion initiatives.