Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to take steps to help ensure private telecommunications infrastructure providers are unable to install hardware without consultation with local communities.

We deprecate the installation of unnecessarily intrusive telecommunications infrastructure, especially where operators have not cooperated in sharing infrastructure or followed guidelines such as consulting communities. Planning regulations aim to strike a balance between the economic and social benefits of investments in digital infrastructure and the needs and concerns of local communities.

The deployment of telecoms infrastructure in England requires planning permission. Most telecommunications infrastructure, including new masts and poles, benefit from permitted development rights.

Regulations and guidelines set out the requirements that communications providers must adhere to when exercising these rights, including any requirements to engage with or notify local planning authorities prior to deploying new infrastructure, and any expectations for engaging with communities. Local planning authorities have discretion on engaging communities about proposed applications.