English Planning Policy and Practice - National Planning Policy in England
National Planning Policy in England
National planning policy is issued by the relevant Government Department responsible for town and country planning. That is presently the Department for Communities and Local Government. The national planning policy that sets the context for the consideration of all telecommunications proposals in England is presently contained in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (PPG 8) which was issued in its current form in August 2001 by the former department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Planning Policy Guidance 8 - Communities and Local Government website
PPG8 gives guidance on planning for telecommunications development - including radio masts and towers, antennas of all kinds, radio equipment housing, public call boxes, cabinets, poles and overhead wires.
The advice provides guidance stressing the need to take account of developments in telecommunications technology and the growth of the telecommunications industry. It reflects the changes to the permitted development rights that apply to Communications Code system operators and also provides advice about taking account of health considerations in making planning decisions about telecommunications development.
It should be noted that the Government's policy is to facilitate the growth of new and existing telecommunications systems whilst keeping the environmental impact to a minimum. The aim of telecommunications policy is to ensure that people have a choice as to who provides their telecommunications service, a wider range of services from which to choose and equitable access to the latest technologies as they become available. The Government reiterates that it has responsibility for protecting public health.
Ten Commitments
Central to the operators’ approach to network development is consultation with local communities, planning officers and other stakeholders on any proposed new developments. Pre-application consultation is included in the operators’ ‘Ten Commitments to Best Siting Practice’, which has existed since 2001 to help address concerns relating to the development of base stations, and which is now contained in planning guidance throughout the UK.
Sharing Sites
Mobile phone users in the UK increasingly want better coverage and greater capacity so they can access more services on their phones. While this means that new base stations will still be needed, network operators seek to share sites wherever possible. Site sharing helps reduce energy consumption and the overall environmental footprint of networks, as well as improving the quality of coverage.