AFTER several months of consultation, the company behind plans to rollout wireless broadband across the town have re-submitted plans to put up masts in North Swindon.

In 2014, a deal between Swindon Borough Council and UKB Networks, was signed to bring a superfast service to 20,000 homes currently without.

While the £3 million deal was welcomed in some areas, there was strong objection in the Northern Sector and plans to build five 15 metre masts there were rejected.

Many residents and local politicians said the masts were too intrusive so campaigned against them.

Since then, a number of public meetings have been held and following consultation, UKB Networks have come back with new proposals.

The plan now is for six masts in the north, with the rejected ones on Cassini Drive and Redhouse Way being appealed.

If approved, there will also be two along Thamesdown Drive, one on Haydon End Lane and a slightly smaller one on Tadpole Lane.

Despite the extra mast, 500 fewer homes will receive the minimum 24mbps speed but Nicholas James, UKB Network’s CEO, hopes it is a solution which will please everyone.

He said: “We have listened to the views of residents about mast locations in North Swindon.

“As a result we have produced a revised plan that we have shared with residents at a public meeting and with both the council and BDUK. Having worked through all of the detail, we are now formally submitting this revised plan today.

“We have tried to configure this new plan to take account of as many of the suggestions made by residents as possible whilst still delivering a superfast service that covers as many homes as practical in the intervention area as required by the Superfast Swindon Scheme conditions.

“I hope that residents support this revised plan so that we can get superfast broadband up and running in North Swindon as soon as possible.”

Council Leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) said: “I am delighted that the Council’s ambition to deliver superfast broadband coverage to almost the entire Borough is now coming to fruition.

“The future success of the Swindon economy is dependent on everyone having access to this technology.”

Councillor Toby Elliott (Con, Priory Vale) is one of those who has voiced concerns about the masts and has welcomed UKB Networks talking to residents.

He said: “I am particularly pleased UKB Networks have listened to myself and my fellow ward members regarding the unsuitability of the previous mast sites and are now submitting a revised plan.

“I am determined to do all I can to increase broadband provision to those areas in Swindon that currently have poor access and I am delighted we are starting to make real progress in achieving that goal.”