Gov Consult on Reform of UK Planning Rules to Boost Broadband and 5G Builds

The Government has today published a new consultation on reforming planning rules, which is seeking feedback on whether they should further change planning rules and update policy guidance to help “accelerate the deployment” of digital infrastructure (full fibre broadband and 5G mobile etc.).

In case anybody has forgotten, the Government’s manifesto (here) previously made clear that they would be making a “renewed push to fulfil the ambition of full gigabit and national 5G coverage by 2030.” This was later supported by the expression of a desire for more flexibility in the planning system (here), which might make it easier to deploy new infrastructure – those who oppose new telecoms poles and masts will be watching closely.

Naturally, broadband and mobile operators have not been shy about producing their own wish lists for what this could mean (here, here, here and here), which often echo a strong desire for the full embracement of flexi-permits and the cancelling of plans for street works charging. Not to mention those that continue to push for easier access to run new fibre into blocks of flats (this is now happening) and the many calls for greater infrastructure sharing etc.

All of this is in service of meeting some key targets, such as the £5bn Project Gigabit programme and its aim of helping to extend gigabit broadband (1000Mbps+) ISP networks to “nationwide” coverage (c.99% of UK premises) by 2032, focusing mostly on the final 10-20% in hard-to-reach areas.

The government also retains an ambition “for all populated areas” to have access to Standalone 5G (5G SA) based mobile broadband technology by 2030. 5GSA is currently already available across 83% of areas outside of premises in the UK, or 47%-65% when looking at the range across different mobile operators.

However, while the government’s recent 10-Year UK Infrastructure Strategy (10YIS) did confirm a push to better tackle blocks of flats and to “bring forward“ a more flexible permitting system (flexi-permits), it was rather short on any other changes or key planning reforms that might be required.

The new consultation

The new consultation on planning reform, which is open for feedback until 26th February 2026, doesn’t yet set out any final proposals and is instead more of a call for evidence on what changes need to be made in order for digital infrastructure to be “built faster“.

The primary focus here is on England (planning is a devolved matter), but the consultation does also encourage views from stakeholders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on interactions with their planning frameworks, and on any cross-border implications.

Consultation Focus (Extract)

Time spent navigating planning requirements and securing approvals could add time and cost to deployment, delaying the rollout and upgrading of mobile and fixed networks and the infrastructure needed to deliver 5GSA’s benefits for businesses, public services and consumers. Planning application statistics suggests that the vast majority of prior approval applications submitted under permitted development rights (across all sectors) are approved.

However, applications for telecoms infrastructure make up a small proportion of total applications and are not separately identified, therefore it is not possible to draw conclusions from these statistics, and we hope to collect relevant information with this call for evidence.

Industry reports a significant proportion of prior‑approval applications are refused. Initial industry views suggest that where network operators are refused planning permission they often appeal the planning decision and a large share of appeals  get overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.

The process for appealing a planning decision can extend deployments by up to a year and add material cost. Industry states that if permitted development rights were changed to prior notification instead of prior approval, it would improve the speed of deployment.

We have identified several areas where we seek additional evidence and information to determine whether further reforms to planning rules are necessary to support the government’s nationwide coverage ambitions. These policy areas include:  

• temporary redeployment after a Notice-to-Quit (NTQ)
• expanding permitted development rights for larger rooftop infrastructure on protected land
• expanding permitted development rights for ground-based masts
• bringing fibre-exchanges into permitted development
• small cell systems and lifting restrictions on size
• updating the Wireless Code of Practice
• new build connectivity – mobile
• rail connectivity
• assessing the impact of previous planning reforms

We welcome evidence—quantitative and qualitative—on the scale of benefits, the adequacy of safeguards, and any additional steps that would make the system work better for communities and for the deployment of digital infrastructure.

In considering these reforms, the government will ensure that changes to planning rules maintain robust safeguards for national security. This includes protecting defence assets and critical national infrastructure, and ensuring that accelerated deployment does not compromise security requirements. We welcome evidence on how planning processes can balance faster rollout with these essential security considerations.

As usual, the government will need to walk a difficult line between fostering greater flexibility and causing further frustration for land and property owners, while at the same time needing to be mindful of vocal communities that don’t always appreciate the new infrastructure being built. The latter recently caused the launch of new ‘Best Practice Guidance’ for gigabit broadband operators (here) and the effectiveness of this is still being assessed.

Subject to the evidence received, the government added that they may consult on specific draft measures and bring forward secondary legislation where appropriate.