10. Supporting high quality communications
114. Advanced, high quality and reliable communications infrastructure is essential for economic growth and social well-being. Planning policies and decisions should support the expansion of electronic communications networks, including next generation mobile technology (such as 5G) and full fibre broadband connections. Policies should set out how high quality digital infrastructure, providing access to services from a range of providers, is expected to be delivered and upgraded over time; and should prioritise full fibre connections to existing and new developments (as these connections will, in almost all cases, provide the optimum solution).115. The number of radio and electronic communications masts, and the sites for such installations, should be kept to a minimum consistent with the needs of consumers, the efficient operation of the network and providing reasonable capacity for future expansion. Use of existing masts, buildings and other structures for new electronic communications capability (including wireless) should be encouraged. Where new sites are required (such as for new 5G networks, or for connected transport and smart city applications), equipment should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged where appropriate.
116. Local planning authorities should not impose a ban on new electronic communications development in certain areas, impose blanket Article 4 directions over a wide area or a wide range of electronic communications development, or insist on minimum distances between new electronic communications development and existing development. They should ensure that:
a) they have evidence to demonstrate that electronic communications infrastructure is not expected to cause significant and irremediable interference with other electrical equipment, air traffic services or instrumentation operated in the national interest; and
b) they have considered the possibility of the construction of new buildings or other structures interfering with broadcast and electronic communications services.
Policy SI 6 Digital connectivity infrastructureA) 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 expecte 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.B)
Development Plans should support the delivery of full-fibre or
equivalent digital infrastructure, with particular focus on areas with
gaps in connectivity and barriers to digital access.
Policy D9 Tall buildings
DefinitionA ) Based on local context, Development Plans
should define what is considered a tall building for specific
localities, the height of which will vary between and within different
parts of London but should not be less than 6 storeys or 18 metres measured from ground to the floor level of the uppermost storey.
2) functional impact
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
Broadband Connectivity Assessment
All new build residential developments must incorporate measures to facilitate digital connectivity for all new build residential properties having regard to the Data Ducting Infrastructure Guidance produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government. (Section 10 NPPF – National Planning Policy Framework)
Television Reception
Information on TV and radio reception and interference. Please provide a report on the possible interference created by the proposed development on TV and radio reception within the area. You may wish to contact the Office of Communications (Ofcom) on tel. 0207 981 3000 for suggestions of companies who may be able to carry out such work. (Core Strategy Policy EN2)
Tall Buildings
If the proposed building is considered to be a ‘Tall Building’. You will need to make a case for the height of the tall element and take into consideration Historic England and Design Council guidance on ‘Tall Buildings’. The design statement should make reference to Design Council guidance to assess its impact on the surrounding area. A visual impact assessment with visualisations of the building form key views needs to be included. The statement should include details of pre-application discussions held with local residents and the outcome of these discussions. If the Proposal is a Tall Building, it may requires an Environmental Statement, as it would have the potential to generate significant impacts over and above the existing use(s) on site. Most notably impacts relating to visual impact; wind microclimate; sunlight/daylight/shading/solar dazzle/privacy and overlooking; transport issues; noise and vibration; air quality; ground conditions and contamination; water resources hydrology; radio and television interference; and sustainability. (Core Strategy Policy EN2)
Salford – Publication Salford Local Plan: Development Management Policies and Designations, January 2020, Salford City Council, states;
Protecting existing digital infrastructure 16.4
As well as supporting new infrastructure provision, the successful functioning of existing digital infrastructure needs to be protected from adverse impacts, including from new development. Such infrastructure includes existing telecommunications apparatus, microwave links and switching stations. It will also be important to ensure that new buildings do not prevent residents from accessing strong and unbroken television reception.
Policy DG2 Protecting digital infrastructure
Adverse impacts on the successful functioning of existing digital infrastructure shall be avoided. Where this is not practicable, appropriate mitigation shall be provided.
4 – Tall Buildings
The effect on the local environment, including microclimate, overshadowing, night time appearance, vehicle movements and the environment and amenity of those in the vicinity of the building. Information that could be required to support the application (dependant on the size and siting of the proposals) could include:
Analysis of any interference that the tall building will have on telecommunications and broadcasting
This supplementary planning guidance provides policy and design guidance for tall buildings in Birmingham. It states that;
High buildings can interfere with telecommunications and broadcast signals. The Radio Communications Agency (or its successor) can provide advice about this. The height and width of building faces, the building structure, surface materials and orientation can all influence the extent of the problem. If there is a significant difficulty, it may be overcome, in certain circumstances by the installation of a relay, repeater station or cable system.
In late 2016, Birmingham City Council started a review of their Tall Building policy, following the need for investment and redevelopment in several parts of the City. The review will consider the need to ensure the City enables the growth and support of modern telecommunication networks and systems, and national critical infrastructure.
Scotland – Scottish Planning Policy, June 2014, Scottish Government
169. Proposals for energy infrastructure developments should always take account of spatial frameworks for wind farms and heat maps where these are relevant. Considerations will vary
relative to the scale of the proposal and area characteristics but are likely to include; impacts on telecommunications and broadcasting installations, particularly ensuring that transmission links are not compromised.
Wales – Technical Advice Note (TAN) 19 Telecommunications, 2002, Welsh Assembly Government
This TAN outlines the planning procedures that should be followed when assessing
telecommunications proposals. It provides advice on telecommunications
systems and consultation arrangements for telecommunications proposals.
Also, on considerations to take into account in determining such
proposals including environmental and health, radio interference from
proposed development and telecommunications aspects in other
developments. Paragraphs 89 to 91 discuss radio interference from a
proposed development.
PPS 10, sets out the Department’s planning policies for telecommunications development. It embodies the Government’s commitment to facilitate the growth of new and existing telecommunications systems whilst keeping the environmental impact to a minimum. The PPS also addresses health issues associated with telecommunications development.
The Department may refuse planning permission for development proposals which would result in undue interference with terrestrial television broadcasting services.
Justification and Amplification
6.39 Large, prominent buildings and structures such as tower blocks, sports stadiums, dock cranes and wind turbines can cause disruption to analogue television services by obstructing or reflecting the wanted signals. Digital television signals are far more robust than analogue signals and, as viewers change to digital over time, this offers the prospect of the elimination of problems such as interference caused by reflections from structures. Useful information on this matter is contained in the leaflet ‘The Impact of Large Buildings and Structures (including Wind-Farms) on Terrestrial Television Reception’ produced by the BBC, the Independent Television Commission and the Radiocommunications Agency.
6.40 The Department will wish to be satisfied that the potential for interference has been fully taken into account in the siting and design of large and prominent buildings and structures, since it will be more difficult, costly and sometimes impossible to correct after the event. Developers of wind turbines and any other structure which by virtue of its size, height or finishes is likely to result in undue interference are therefore encouraged seek expert advice on this matter before submitting their proposals.
6.41 In cases where evidence is submitted that undue interference is likely to occur as a result of development the Department will consult with the Radiocommunications Agency and the broadcasters or fixed-link operators before reaching a decision, to ascertain whether an engineering solution to the problem of interference in any particular case is feasible. Where potential interference is causing genuine local concern, the Department may also seek the help of these experts to assess the likelihood and degree of interference (see Annex B).
6.42 Certain factors can be taken into account at the planning application stage, in particular the height and width of each face of the structure, the material and outside surface finish, and the orientations of the sides of the structure in relation to any local transmitter. If it is clear, by the nature of the development, that disruption to television reception will be a significant problem, the solution may be for the developer to incorporate a television relay (repeater) or cable system. In such a case the developer will need to consult with and obtain the agreement of the broadcasting authorities. Only in extreme cases where there is evidence that no practical remedy exists to overcome or otherwise mitigate problems of undue interference would the Department be justified in refusing planning permission.