Plans lodged to build new internet substation in Wymondham

The high-speed internet service would be provided to Wymondham via a new high-speed substation built in a car and lorry park along Ayton Road. 

Telecommunications firm CityFibre is filing the application with South Norfolk District Council as part of 'Project Gigabit 4', a government-assisted contract to bring gigabit internet to 62,000 premises across Norfolk.

A plot of land along Ayton Road in Wymondham has been chosen for the proposed substation (Image: Google) Gigabit broadband is a connection that can deliver speeds of 1000 megabits per second or more. The UK average is drastically lower at around 69mbt/s.

It comes several years after government ministers called on local councils to do what they can to boost internet connectivity as a way to help the country's economy recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic.  

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The former digital infrastructure minister, Matt Warman, said: "Telecommunication plays a vital role in our daily lives and is the foundation of a thriving economy.

The site would include two cabins with five air conditioning units apiece (Image: South Norfolk Council) "Every part of the UK needs world-class, secure digital infrastructure that enables people to access the services they need.

"Our aim is to achieve at least 85pc gigabit coverage by 2025 and 99pc gigabit coverage by 2030."

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And as part of its application, CityFibre cites the recently adopted Greater Norwich Local Plan which promotes the adoption of improved telecoms because it supports business development and home working.

The Ayton Road site was chosen because it has no particular merit (Image: South Norfolk Council) The firm has chosen the site at Ayton Road because it is close to the centre of Wymondham but has "no particular merit", being an area of land used for car parking to the rear of a paved lorry parking area.

Should the plans be approved, the development would comprise two fibre-optic cabins on a concrete base, surrounded by 2.4m high fencing.

Each cabin would require five air conditioning units which may produce additional noise, especially to homes in nearby Browick Road, however, CityFibre said it will be "low impact". 

The application is due to be decided in the coming months.