House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Supporting the deployment of 5G and extending mobile coverage – Planning Update
22 July 2020 · Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Proposed by Matt Warman Con Boston and Skegness
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Government is publishing its response to a consultation on reforms to permitted development rights in England to support 5G deployment and extend mobile coverage.
- Proposals include changes to planning legislation to enable easier deployment of radio equipment housing and strengthening existing masts for 5G.
- The Government intends to allow the deployment of building-based masts near highways and the construction of higher new masts to improve coverage, subject to technical consultation on environmental protections.
Issue summary
The statement addresses reforms to permitted development rights in England to support the deployment of 5G and extend mobile coverage.
Action requested
The Government is publishing its response to the consultation and intends to take forward proposals for changes to planning legislation, subject to a technical consultation on environmental protections and safeguards. The proposed reforms aim to enable easier deployment of radio equipment housing, strengthening existing masts for 5G, deploying building-based masts near highways, and allowing higher new masts for better coverage.
Key facts
- £1 billion Shared Rural Network deal with mobile network operators by 2025.
- £200 million investment in a programme of 5G testbeds and trials.
- Joint consultation on proposed reforms to permitted development rights published on 27 August 2019.
- Consultation ran for 10 weeks, closing on 4 November 2019.
- Proposed reforms include enabling radio equipment housing without prior approval up to specified limits.
- Strengthening existing masts up to specified limits for 5G and mast sharing.
- Deploying building-based masts nearer to highways subject to prior approval and limits.
- Allowing higher new masts with prior approval and limits.