Plans for a mast to be put up in Pilton to help provide superfast broadband have been given the go-ahead by Mendip District Council.

A planning application was submitted for prior approval of a telecommunications development for the building of one 11m telegraph pole required to support a 407mm x 315mm dish, a 650mm x 386mm dish, and two 700mm x 135mm x 73mm antenna with a 550mm x 320mm x 420mm equipment cabinet attached to the telegraph pole, and all associated ancillary development on land at Bowermead Lane, Whitstone Hill, Pilton, by Adam Goodman on behalf of broadband provider Voneus.

The site is located on the land to the north west of Bowermead House on the farm grounds, close to Pilton.

The location of the installation is adjacent to an existing garage which lies in the north westerly corner of the Bowermead grounds.

Voneus specialises in providing high-speed internet to remote rural locations by utilising masts, dishes and antenna to provide coverage to much-needed areas.

The company has been working to try and find solutions in the area by installing on existing buildings, and has an urgent requirement to provide a link structure that shall link sites and provide them with superfast broadband.

In order to provide this service, Voneus submitted the application to install a 11m mast identified the location at the north west of Bowermead that would link the network and provide the service.

The new mast will enable Voneus to deliver broadband speeds of between 24Mbps and 50Mbps to premises within a 10km area.

In approving the plans, the planning officer's report said: "It is considered that, although the pole will be on an elevated site, it is not in a prominent location within the village but located on a quiet lane on the outskirts of the village and outside the conservation area.

"The pole will be located near a number of tall established trees, but at a far enough distance that they won't interfere with the equipment, which will help screen the pole and allow the tall structure to blend in with the landscape of Bowermead Lane. The ground works are further screened by the existing building on the site.

"As such, the proposed mast would have no significant further harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area. The proposed siting is considered to be an appropriate location."

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been submitted this week to Mendip District Council include:

Proposed works to tree/s in a Conservation Area: (T5) - ash - fell due to dieback, T(13) Thuja - fell - due to split at union to north at The Cemetery, Bruton Road, Evercreech, are wanted by Evercreech Parish Council.

Proposed single storey rear extension to the cottage at East Cottage, Top Street, Pilton, has been applied for by Mr and Mrs Firth.

Proposed works to tree/s in a Conservation Area: T1 and T2 (cherry) - fell at Church View, Batcombe, are wanted by Mr Philip Clarke.

Proposed works to tree/s in a Conservation Area: T1 - ash tree - fell at The Orchard, Pike Hill, Shepton Mallet, have been applied for by Mark Denning.

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been decided this week by Mendip District Council include:

Replace rotten/damaged front door and frame with new traditional style door, replace nine modern windows with period style, repair six original stone mullion windows and repair two 1970s reproduction stone mullion windows at Coombe Cross, High Street, Oakhill, by Mr Martin Watts has been approved.

Conversion of existing redundant stables/hay barn to a single dwelling including associated landscaping on a plot east of Vereker House, Pitcot Lane, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, by Mr Jamie O'Nians has been approved.

Works to trees covered by Preservation Orders at Oakhill Manor, Zion Hill, Oakhill, by Mr Adrian Wilmott have been approved.

Proposed erection of an eco barn dwelling at Pippit Barn, Lipyeate Cross to Luckington Cross, Coleford, by Mr Woodall has been refused.

Loft conversion and ground floor residential extension to the rear of a family house at 1 Manor Farm Cottages, Farm Road, Doulting, by Mrs Rachel Bell has been approved.

Erection of a single storey front and side extension at 31 Whitstone Rise, Shepton Mallet, by Mrs Charlet Martin has been approved.

Changes to a listed building to include upgrading of existing garage, heating system and extractor to bathroom at Westbrook House, High Street, North Wootton, by Mr and Mrs Dosanjh have been approved.

Application for a certificate of lawful existing development for the change of use of the land for stationing a mobile home for independent residential use at Higher Whitnell Farm, Binegar Bottom, Binegar, by Mr B Croker has been approved.

Proposed double garage to replace existing timber storage shed at Saw Mill Cottage, Leigh Street, Leigh-on-Mendip, by Mr Vincent has been approved.

Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (Joinery Details), 4 (Sample Panel - Walling) and 5 (Sample Panel - Roofing) on planning consent 2020/1090/LBC at 2 Wickham Cottages, Frys Lane to Mill Lane, Batcombe, by Jonathan Tibbs has been approved.

Approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (Tree Protection Plan) and 15 (Archaeology - Watching Brief) on planning consent 2018/2570/FUL at Lodge Hill Manor, Pound Lane to Merehead Quarry, Downhead, by John Yeoman has been given.

Application for approval of details reserved by condition 8 (Archaeology) on planning consent 2020/1818/FUL at Rookery Farm, Roemead Road, Binegar, by Adelle Hobbs has been approved.

Application for a non-material amendment to permission 2018/2303/FUL for the window openings, window design, materials and roofing material at Ingsdon Farm, Bodden Lane to Chelynch Road, Doulting, by Mr Mark Watson has been approved.