The London Plan 2021 – Policy D9 Tall buildings & Policy SI 6 Digital connectivity infrastructure

The London Plan 2021 (March 2021) – Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London, discusses at length the need for robust digital connectivity and that new development must not cause interference to telecommunications networks and local connectivity. Two policies and associated text relating to telecommunications, broadcast reception and digital connectivity are presented below;
Policy SI 6 Digital connectivity infrastructure
A) To ensure London’s global competitiveness now and in the future, development proposals should:

 

1) ensure that sufficient ducting space for full fibre connectivity infrastructure is provided to all end users within new developments, unless an affordable alternative 1GB/s-capable connection is made available to all end users

2) meet expected demand for mobile connectivity generated by the development  

3) take appropriate measures to avoid reducing mobile connectivity in surrounding areas; where that is not possible, any potential reduction would require mitigation

 

4) support the effective use of rooftops and the public realm (such as street furniture and bins) to accommodate well-designed and suitably located mobile digital infrastructure.
9.6.5 Development proposals should also demonstrate that mobile connectivity will be available throughout the development and should not have detrimental impacts on the digital connectivity of neighbouring buildings. Early consultation with network operators will help to identify any adverse impact on mobile or wireless connectivity and appropriate measures to avoid/mitigate them.

9.6.6 Access for network operators to rooftops of new developments should be supported where an improvement to the mobile connectivity of the area can be identified. Where possible, other opportunities to secure mobile connectivity improvements should also be sought through new developments, including for example the creative use of the public realm.

9.6.9 Digital connectivity supports smart technologies in terms of the collection, analysis and sharing of data on the performance of the built and natural environment, including for example, water and energy consumption, waste, air quality, noise and congestion. Development should be fitted with smart infrastructure, such as sensors, to enable better collection and monitoring of such data. As digital connectivity and the capability of these sensors improves, and their cost falls, more and better data will become available to improve monitoring of planning agreements and impact assessments, for example related to urban design. Further guidance will be developed to make London a smarter city.

Policy D9 Tall buildings


Impacts 

C Development proposals should address the following impacts:

f) buildings, including their construction, should not interfere with aviation, navigation or telecommunication, and should avoid a significant detrimental effect on solar energy generation on adjoining buildings

3.9.3 Tall buildings are generally those that are substantially taller than their surroundings and cause a significant change to the skyline. Boroughs should define what is a ‘tall building’ for specific localities, however this definition should not be less than 6 storeys or 18 metres measured from ground to the floor level of the uppermost storey. This does not mean that all buildings up to this height are automatically acceptable, such proposals will still need to be assessed in the context of other planning policies, by the boroughs in the usual way, to ensure that they are appropriate for their location and do not lead to unacceptable impacts on the local area. In large areas of extensive change, such as Opportunity Areas, the threshold for what constitutes a tall building should relate to the evolving (not just the existing) context. This policy applies to tall buildings as defined by the borough. Where there is no local definition, the policy applies to buildings over 6 storeys or 18 metres measured from ground to the floor level of the uppermost storey.


Broadband Connectivity Assessment
Digital infrastructure – Infrastructure, such as small cell antenna and ducts for cables, that supports fixed and mobile connectivity and therefore underpins smart technologies.