Watford Borough Council has granted approval for a 20-metre mast opposite the Sun Clock Tower to boost 5G coverage.

The mast proposed for Ascot Road will be built after a planning application was given prior approval.

The site was chosen due to “extremely limited” options with “the only viable solution that minimises amenity issues” having been put forward, according to CK Hutchison Networks, which owns Three Mobile.

The company says the mast will improve coverage and capacity on the network, particularly in relation to 5G services.

In the supplementary information to the plan, it added: “This equipment is considered unlikely to have any material impact on the local area but significant connectivity improvements."

Other reasons for the site being chosen included that it is in a commercial area and dual carriageway, with other structures such as lamp posts and road signs nearby, and nearby greenery.

The decision confirming prior approval specifies the mast must be painted grey “in the interests of the visual appearance of the site”.