PLANS have been approved to build a 20m telephone communication pole in the centre of Clydebank.

Applicant Cornerstone have received planning approval to build a mast telephone pole on Clyde Street for phone network operators Vodafine and Telephonica (O2) to provide improved 4G mobile and broadband coverage for Clydebank users within the area.

The firms said they also hoped the new pole will assist with the delivery of 5G data coverage in the future.

Documents published on the local authority’s website state: “The area immediately surrounding the site is predominantly characterised by business and industrial uses.

“Many of the surrounding buildings do not front onto the street or are set well back with service yards/car parking to the front.”

The plans were lodged on December 16 last year and were approved last week.

The proposed area is on an industrial estate near Averton Landscapes.

The report also stated: “The design of the proposed mast and associated equipment is considered to be acceptable and the visual impacts, aided by its proposed siting will be minimised as far as practicable.”

Glasgow Airport had no objections to the proposal.

Clydebank’s MSP Gil Paterson said: “The proposed site for this mast is situated on an industrial estate so no residents should be affected, therefore on the face of it I would have no objections either.

“Since most people use a mobile telephone and I don’t think people are going to give these up any time soon, it is good that those who are proposing sites for these masts always consider appropriates places well away from dwellings.”