Government moves to cut broadband red tape

The government is considering making a temporary relaxation of broadband infrastructure planning regulations a permanent fixture

The government will consider the merits of making the current broadband planning regulations, which were temporarily relaxed in 2013 for a five-year period, permanent, in an attempt to further stimulate fibre roll-out into the remotest parts of the UK.

In a newly released productivity plan, titled Fixing the foundations: Creating a more prosperous nation, the government acknowledged the importance of reliable, high-quality fixed and mobile broadband connections in supporting wider economic growth through increased productivity, efficiency and labour force participation.

The paper claimed that investment in broadband would increase gross value added (GVA) by £6.3bn and create 20,000 new jobs in the UK by 2024.

Red tape

The government’s report went on to say that by reducing red tape and barriers to investment, Westminster would now act to support the market in achieving the goals that it set out in the March 2015 Digital Communications Infrastructure Strategy around ultrafast broadband and universal 4G mobile coverage.

In light of this, the government is “considering making the 2013 planning relaxations supporting fixed high-speed broadband infrastructure roll-out permanent”.

In 2013 the coalition amended the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 to allow a number of new development rights, including removing the requirement for prior approval of fixed line broadband apparatus on Article 1(5) land, meaning in National Parks, the Norfolk Broads – which at the time was not a National Park – areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

“We wish to provide for the roll-out of specific fixed-line broadband services in rural areas, especially the hard-to-reach rural areas,” said the government in a consultation note issued in 2013.

“Currently prior approval (covering siting and appearance) is required when installation of specific broadband infrastructure is carried out on Article 1(5) land or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).