Plans are being considered for a mast "taller than The Shard" to be built at the former Richborough Power Station site.

Dover District Council has confirmed it has been approached about the exact spot the three cooling towers came down in 2012.

The mast will be used as a new communications tower for financial traders around the world.

City traders are constantly looking for ways to speed up their deals, with a millionth of second advantage able to increase the amount of money they can make from a transaction.

The Shard in the centre of London is 309 metres high and is dubbed Europe's tallest building.

The Kent mast, if approved, will be 320 metres.

Canadian telecoms firm Vigilant Global is behind the plans.

Speaking on behalf of the firm and its partner DRW, spokesperson Jessica Iverson said: “Vigilant Global UK is proposing the Richborough Mast to establish a new communications point between the UK and Europe for uses that include trading and investment activities in financial markets.

"We have been working closely with the local planning authority and meeting with the public in the surrounding communities on the proposal, and we are partnering with local organisations to provide public benefits from the mast, including community radio, wireless broadband access and education initiatives.”

A spokesman for DDC said: "We can confirm that we have been approached in regards to this communication mast.

"We have been approached by an applicant.

"All they have asked for at this stage is a screening opinion."

An applicant for planning permission may ask a planning authority for a screening opinion before submitting the application.

The spokesman added: "They asked if a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would need to be done.

"We have informed them it would because of the nature of the proposal.

"We are still waiting to receive a planning application."