New 5G mast planned for Thomas Way industrial estate

By Laura Linham 7th Aug 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

A new 22.85-metre mobile phone tower could be built on a Glastonbury industrial estate after the operator of an existing site was told it would have to leave.

Planning documents lodged with Somerset Council under reference number 2026/1478/PAP propose a replacement VodafoneThree base station on land at Thomas Way Industrial Estate, off Porchestall Drove.

The plans include a lattice tower carrying six antennas and a 0.3-metre transmission dish, along with three equipment cabinets, a meter cabinet and other equipment. The installation would sit inside a compound surrounded by a 2.4-metre-high palisade fence.

According to the supporting statement, an existing communications installation stands around 120 metres north of the proposed site and currently provides mobile coverage and capacity in the area. However, the operator has been served with a notice to quit because the land is required for redevelopment, meaning the existing equipment must be removed.

The applicant argues that losing the site without a replacement would lead to a "significant reduction" in network performance and connectivity for customers using the existing cell. The new installation is also intended to provide upgraded 4G and 5G capability.

Planning documents acknowledge that the 22.85-metre structure would stand taller than many of the surrounding features. However, the applicant says that is the minimum height needed to reproduce the coverage provided by the existing mast and argues that trees, boundary vegetation and the industrial setting would help reduce its visual impact.

The application will now be considered through the planning process, with the documents making the case that replacing the existing installation is necessary to prevent a drop in mobile coverage while allowing upgraded 4G and 5G services.