Recently, the government announced a consultation on proposals to reform permitted
development rights (PD rights) for operators under the Electronic
Communications Code (Code Operators). The aim of the proposals is
to support 5G technology and extend mobile coverage. Four new PD
rights are proposed, two of which would require prior approval from
the local planning authority (LPA), two of which would not. Bearing
in mind the infrastructure that will be needed for greater mobile
coverage and to get ready for 5G, and considering the potential
impact on them of the proposed rights, landowners and developers
should consider taking the opportunity to respond to the
consultation.
The PD rights proposed are to enable the deployment of radio
housing equipment on land (apart from on Sites of Scientific
Interest) and the strengthening of existing masts for 5G upgrades
and mast sharing. These rights would not require “prior
approval” from the LPA, which means that the LPA would
