Leading telecommunications company EE Ltd had launched a consultation in October last year as it sought opinions ahead of a planning bid in Lowestoft.

But the consultation sparked concerns about the potential impact on "designated heritage assets" by an Esso garage.

East Suffolk Council said during the consultation last year that they had "concerns regarding the potential impact of the base station, owing to its height and visual impact, on the setting of nearby designated heritage assets".

The Esso MFG Jubilee garage on High Street, Lowestoft (Image: Esso MFG Jubilee garage Facebook)

Now the agents and host provider Freshwave - which works to provide infrastructure for operators to share around the UK - have submitted a prior notification telecommunication application with the council for applicants EE UK Ltd.

It was validated with the council on March 6 and is currently "awaiting decision."

The "proposed site" centres around the installation of a "telecommunications base station comprising of a 20m high monopole with a wrap around cabinet at the base."

It would support nine antennas and two transmission dishes along with three equipment cabinets and ancillary development at the side of the Esso MFG Jubilee filling station (formerly Shell), on High Street in Lowestoft.

Of the proposed base station installation, documents said: "Freshwave are in the process of identifying a suitable site in the Lowestoft area for a radio base station that will improve service provision for EE.

"The site is needed to provide 2G/4G/5G coverage and capacity for EE, to ensure that their customers maintain access to the latest technologies currently available.

"The installation will also meet the extra demands on the network in this area as new technologies improve, increasing the demand for 4G and 5G technologies."

After searching the area, and assessing 23 alternative rooftop, greenfield and streetworks sites in the town, they proposed installing a new base station at the Esso MFG Jubilee garage on High Street, Lowestoft as it was considered "the best solution".

East Suffolk Council is likely to make a decision in the coming weeks.

© Eastern Daily Press