Plans to build 5G antennas on top of a block of flats have been approved by Bracknell Forest Council.

Under the plans, telecoms company Cellnex UK will build the 5G mobile base station on top of the Point Royal tower block on Rectory Lane in Easthampstead. It will be used by Vodaphone and O2.

Cellnex UK said this will be an upgrade to equipment already installed on the 18-storey tower block – and a better alternative to building new masts on the ground.

Cellnex UK said: “The building hosts an existing flag pole tower and associated support structures at rooftop level and the purpose of the upgrade is to provide improve coverage and facilitate in the essential 5G roll out.

READ MORE: Plans for 'eyesore' telephone mast refused

“It is considered that the least visually intrusive solution has been put forward via the upgrading of an existing site rather than the introduction of an entirely new ground-based or rooftop installation.”

Bracknell Forest Council planning officers approved the plans on Wednesday, April 3.

It comes after Bracknell Forest Council refused permission for another telecoms company, Cignal Infrastructure, to build a ground-level phone mast in Great Hollands last year.

Neighbours said that mast would have been an ‘eyesore,’ and the council said the equipment would damage a nearby tree.