Plans for a 5G mast outside a pub have been welcomed by residents of an estate with a “terrible” mobile signal.

Provided by Three, the 15m tall mast could be put up between the Jenny Wren and Staplehurst Road at The Meads, Sittingbourne.

Homeowners in the area have say they are in favour of the plans.

Jeff Fox, of Amethyst Drive, said the mobile signal is “atrocious” and is “more than happy” for the 5G tower to be built.

The 52-year-old who works in IT added: “I work from home so having 5G would be brilliant as at the moment not being able to make a phone call is a real inconvenience.

“People rely on their mobile phones for safety so if it can stop the dead spot it should be built.

“You can’t stop progress - you have to embrace it.”

Meanwhile, Ann Mackenzie, who lives in Jacinth Drive, said the mast would “improve the estate”.

The retired vicar, aged 68, said: “I have to go in certain spots of my house to be able to make a call and in other parts of the area the signal is dead.

“We need the mast as it’s a matter of safety. I still have a landline in case I need to go to contact the doctors.”

Bill Walsh, 63, said that when he is at home in Moonstone Square the signal is “poor” which he puts down to the number of people living in the area.

He said: “The area is so built that the signal cannot cope. When our children were around 16 it was a worry especially when they missed curfews as we couldn’t call them. There are always new families moving in so I can imagine they have the same concerns.”

Cllr James Hunt (Con), who represents The Meads, said the mast should help ease problems with poor mobile signal.

He said: “At the moment it’s hard to make calls without wi-fi calling in the area which I believe started when the water tower came down in 2012.”

He added: “From the people I have spoken to most residents are happy about it coming to the area.

“There are of course concerns about what it may look like, however, the site is not near any houses so shouldn’t be an eyesore.”

A target date for the decision is November 1. The proposals for the Phase 8 monopole were submitted to Swale council on Tuesday, September 12.

To view the plans click here using the application reference: 23/504067/TNOT56

This comes after similar plans for a “life or death” 5G mast were given the green light last month in Iwade.

Cllr Roger Clark (Con), who lives in Pearl Blossom Drive and represents Iwade on Swale council, welcomed the mast in his area after residents had to endure frequent power cuts, poor phone signal and water leaks in the rapidly expanding village.

He said: “Making a phone call can be a matter of life and death for those people who have major health issues.

“It’s important that this is built in Iwade.”