Policy DM10 Communications Infrastructure
Proposals for the provision, upgrading and enhancement of wireless and fixed data transfer and telecommunications networks and their associated infrastructure that requires planning permission will be encouraged and accepted where:
a) there is no unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area, on residential amenity or on the safe and satisfactory functioning of highways
b) the proposal can be accommodated as a shared facility with existing infrastructure unless it can be demonstrated that this would result in unacceptable visual or environmental impacts which would outweigh the advantages of sharing;
c) it can be demonstrated that there will be no significant and irremediable interference with electrical equipment, air traffic services or instrumentation operated in the national interest; and
d) all reasonably practicable steps are taken to minimise adverse visual impact; and
e) the proposal is certified to be in conformity with the latest national guidelines on radiation protection. This will include consideration of both individual and cumulative effects of the apparatus having regard to any other significant electromagnetic field generators in the locality.
In addition, in cases where such proposals affect:
a) designated or locally identified heritage assets; or
b) nationally protected Sites of Special Scientific interest (SSSI), regional and local sites, the Yare Valley Character Area and areas of open space (as shown on the Policies map)
development will be accepted where the proposed facility is designed and sited to be as unobtrusive as reasonably practicable in relation to the protected area, or other mitigating benefits can be demonstrated which outweigh the impact of the proposal.
New development affecting existing telecommunications infrastructure
Where the scale form and massing of the new development is shown, on the basis of sound technical evidence, to be likely to cause an unavoidable interference with existing broadcast and telecommunications services in the vicinity, the city council will seek opportunities (in negotiations with the developer and the relevant telecommunications operator) to mitigate such impact through appropriate design modifications and all suitable measures for resiting, reprovision or enhancement of any relevant communications infrastructure within the new development.
Supplementary text
10.1 Section 5 of the NPPF: “Supporting high quality communications infrastructure” requires local plans to support the expansion of electronic communications networks including telecommunications and high speed broadband.
10.2 Communications infrastructure which is up-to-date and fit for purpose is essential to meet the changing needs of business and individual users. It will be needed to support the planned economic growth and employment development in the greater Norwich area and (as online social networking becomes an accepted facet of everyday life) will also play an increasingly important role in supporting communities and fostering community cohesion. Accordingly, this policy applies to all forms of communications infrastructure, including public and private fixed and wireless broadband networks for the high speed transmission of data, telecommunications masts and other apparatus for mobile phone operators, public CCTV and webcams, installations required by the broadcast media and communications technology needed to serve particular business sectors such as private security, healthcare, defence and civil aviation.
10.3 In assessing applications for all forms of communications infrastructure, the city council will work with prospective developers and operators to identify the most efficient, practicable and environmentally acceptable solutions for the location(s) in which the infrastructure is proposed, taking account of the standing advice to encourage and facilitate the development of such networks in the NPPF.
10.4 Whilst seeking to encourage the appropriate expansion of these networks, the policy also aims to manage the siting, design and appearance of telecommunications installations and other communications infrastructure so far as is practicable to ensure the protection of Norwich’s natural environmental and heritage assets.
10.5 In many cases such equipment will not require planning permission: nevertheless where new or upgraded infrastructure is proposed on a large-scale (e.g. high-speed broadband) the potential impacts on the local environment will need to be considered. The city council encourages early engagement with operators where new network infrastructure is proposed in order to identify and discuss any particular issues with the design or siting of new equipment and to reach mutually agreeable solutions. Operators will be encouraged to develop innovative solutions in terms of design, structure, materials and colouring to ensure that these issues are appropriately addressed and the impact of installations minimised.
10.6 In the case of telecommunications installations, the preference will be to accommodate new apparatus on existing masts and/or within existing telecommunication infrastructure to keep the environmental impact to a minimum, except where the proliferation of installations in a single location will result in impacts from visual clutter which outweigh the advantages of sharing.
10.7 It is the government’s view that the planning system is not the place to determine health safeguards in relation to telecommunications development. It remains central government’s responsibility to determine what measures are necessary to protect public health. The city council will nevertheless seek assurances that all new development is in accordance with up-to-date national emission guidelines through the appropriate certification procedures when proposals are submitted.
10.8 Although larger scale telecommunications development requires planning permission, there are many aspects which do not, as they are permitted by virtue of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO). Where it is the intention to install equipment under permitted development rights that is subject to the prior approval procedure, consideration must be given to the siting and appearance of development in accordance with the requirements of the GPDO and the relevant safeguards imposed by the operator licensing regime. The GPDO also requires operators to remove any telecommunications equipment when it is redundant.
10.9 Section 5 of the NPPF: Supporting high quality communications infrastructure advises local planning authorities to ensure they have evidence to demonstrate that communications infrastructure will not cause significant and irremediable interference with other electrical equipment, air traffic services or instrumentation operated in the national interest; and that they have considered the possibility of the construction of new buildings or other structures interfering with broadcast and telecommunications services.
10.10 The council recognises that a fully informed judgement on this issue may require a detailed technical knowledge of the location, specifications and capacities of individual pieces of network infrastructure which officers assessing planning applications may not necessarily possess. Furthermore the council may not be in a position to routinely consult every operator who might be potentially affected by new installations or other development but would endeavour to take into account the interests of those operators within the planning process so far as is practicable.
10.11 The council will therefore encourage the operators of communications infrastructure to keep abreast of new development proposals through the normal process of application publicity and engagement in plan-making as set out in the Statement of community involvement. Any issues of concern with the design or siting of new development can therefore be raised and discussed and these issues addressed at an early stage in the application process.
10.12 If there is conclusive evidence that a particular development proposal would impact on the efficient operation of existing broadcast and telecommunications services the council will endeavour to negotiate design solutions which will help to mitigate any identified impacts on a case-by-case basis, although the likelihood of some impact will not necessarily be a reason to block development which delivers clear benefits for the city and is otherwise in accordance with the policies and overarching sustainable development objectives of this plan.
References
- NPPF: CLG, 2012: Section 5: Supporting high quality communications infrastructure.
- JCS Policy 6: access and transportation: provision of IT infrastructure and fast broadband.
- The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended): Schedule 2 Part 24: development by telecommunications code system operators.
