Business

By Andrew Diprose

A government minister has praised the “incredible innovation” in Dorset after seeing for himself 5G projects in action. Matt Warman MP, the minister for Digital Infrastructure, visited the 5G RuralDorset project and took a tour of the locations making up the Department for Culture, Media and Sportbacked research initiative. His day began at Dorset Innovation Park where he was given a demonstration of a fully connected emergency response vehicle which included drone footage transmitted over the 5G network from Lulworth. He then toured the Ministry of Defence’s new Battle Lab workshop. The new facility houses a private 5G network and will allow the MoD and small, agile technology companies to collaborate and develop new 5G products and services. This was followed by a visit to the secure outdoor 5G test environment which can be used to evaluate 5G applications and products ‘in the wild’, including autonomous vehicles. The Minister was next taken to Durdle Door where he was shown the new 5G connected digital signage which informs the public of sea conditions and tide times via data collected using a sea condition monitoring system (SCMS) located offshore. This includes what is believed to be the only selfpowered floating 5G buoy on the globe. Charged by the sun, it shows how innovation has a huge part to play in meeting net zero carbon objectives. The buoy connects to the world’s first in-field 700 MHz standalone private 5G network and feeds digital signs with information about whether it’s safe to enter the water. The four digital signs installed by the project at popular tourist hotspots also include footfall counting technology to help landowners and the local authorities manage potential overcrowding along the Jurassic Coast. There was also the chance to meet the Lulworth First Responders who have recently had their emergency response vehicle brought into the 21st century with the latest communications kit and 5G connectivity. Finally, the minister was taken by boat to view the SCMS buoy up close and to look at the coastline where the project is examining how 5G can be used to help monitor land slippage and cliff stability. Cllr Peter Wharf, Dorset Council’s deputy leader, said: “This visit marks an important milestone in the project as our research starts to become more visible and is being recognised at the highest levels of government. “We hope what the Minister has seen here today will help inform decisions about 5G and rural connectivity, not just in Dorset but across the whole of the UK.” Mr Warman said: “5G is about much more than having a faster mobile phone and I’ve seen some incredible innovation happening across Dorset with the help of government funding. “Whether it’s saving lives at sea, monitoring coastal erosion or helping our dedicated first responders, what we are learning in Dorset about this technology will help us improve lives and create new solutions to age-old problems.” Partners and collaborators involved in the visit and the project included: Bournemouth University, British Geological Survey, Dorset Council, Excelerate Technology, Jet Engineering System Solutions, Kimcell, Neutral Networks, NGIS, Small Robot Company, Wessex Internet, Telint, University of Strathclyde, Vodafone, Satellite Applications Catapult, RNLI, Lulworth Estate, MOD, Qualcomm and University of Exeter.

Andrew Diprose is the founder and editor of dorsetbiznews.co.uk, the No.1 business website in the county with more than 27,000 unique users.

VERY IMPRESSED: I’ve seen some incredible innovation happening across Dorset with the help of government funding,’ says Matt Warman

SIGHTSEEING: Matt Warman at Durdle Door and, right, with Gordon Fong, a director of Kimcell

Minister impressed with 5G innovations in visit to county

New Blackmore Vale, July 23, 2021 with dorsetbiznews.co.uk Let’s adopt the ‘best practice’ from anywhere in the world

My brother emigrated to Canada, and wanted to add a structure at his lakeside property. The planning officer arrived by boat, and my brother showed him drawings of what he wanted. “I’m here on your side, to help you achieve what you wish, if we keep within the rules.” It was evident that in Ontario planning officers treat home owners respectfully. After a constructive discussion, the officer said: “Your main objective is to welcome up to 20 guests to barbecue lunches, with views of the lake. The only rule that matters is that you cannot have more than a fivemetre facade towards the lake. But you can build back as far as you like.” With such a positive attitude, they discussed three possible layouts, and agreed one of them. “It will take seven days to give you formal permission, so I advise you not to start construction in less than ten days.” What a refreshing can-do attitude! In north Dorset we know a house behind hedges and trees, built more than 200 yards away from any other house. The owners applied in writing for planning permission to add a living room 24 feet long. The decision came back eight weeks later: they could only have permission for a room 16 feet long. However this 16 foot room would cost 90% of the 24 foot room, so they decided it was not worth pursuing. Two years later, hoping the passage of time might help their cause, they reapplied. Recalling that the system had arbitrarily cut them back to two thirds of what they asked for, they now asked for a room 36 feet long. Eight weeks later, they were granted planning permission for a living room… 24 feet long. Just what they had wanted in the first place. It has now been built. The Canadian officer treated my brother helpfully and positively, and pointed out that he could build a bigger structure within the rules if he wished. Perhaps debutantes, as the daughters of wealthy property owners, should be recruited as UK planning officers: “Why ask for such a small conservatory? My daddy would want something much bigger than that. And, Oh Look, that would be within the rules!” And using the Canadian system, this would take one month instead of 26 months. In planning matters, just as much as in our own businesses, let us adopt best practice from anywhere in the world!

n Adrian Fisher is an awardwinning maze designer from Durweston

Team go up the wall for cause

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By Andrew Diprose Team members from a wealth management firm went up the wall – but for all the right reasons – during a charity challenge. A ten-strong team from Peter Harding Wealth Management took on a Three Peaks Climbing Challenge at RockReef on Bournemouth Pier. They were raising funds for their nominated charity of the year, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. Marketing director Sarah Ryan said: “So much fun was had by all and we raised a significant amount at the same time too. “We had ten staff climbers and several other staff attending to offer their support and encouragement, it was a great team effort. The team completed their climbs in one hour 15 minutes, climbing an impressive 3,408 metres.” The firm also held a bake sale and a sweepstake to predict who their fastest climber would be. The winner was James Pritchett who climbed a total of 545m, closely followed by Robyn Harding at 527m and in 3rd, Richard Williams at 440m. Sarah added: “We are really pleased to report that we raised in excess of £1,800 from the evening.” Nicki Cluley, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser, said: “We are hugely grateful for this brilliant support from Peter Harding Wealth Management. “It’s so impressive the different events and activities that they are creating to fundraise for LewisManning Hospice Care. “We are always keen to hear from businesses interested in raising funds for LewisManning Hospice Care and we would love to hear from you to discuss the variety of ways you and your team can get involved. “Just email me at Nicki.Cluley@lewismanning.org.uk or call 01202 708470.”

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