"The shift to 5G alone is projected to increase UK productivity by over £150bn by 2030"
Failing to Plan, Planning will fail > Six Point Framework
The following policies will improve the planning system and the rollout of mobile infrastructure:
- Urgently increase funding for planning services – there are a range of policies in place to combat this, but they need to be delivered, and additional financial support is needed.
- Recognise the importance of mobile infrastructure in the planning system - to ensure that sufficient weighting is given to the economic and social benefits of mobile connectivity by building super squads of mobile infrastructure specialists, creating barrier-busting taskforces, fast tracking of planning in key growth areas and exploring mobile connectivity considerations in redevelopments.
- Hire Digital Champions to support the planning process – helping to align decision making within local authorities around digital connectivity, and acting as a single point of contact for the mobile infrastructure industry.
- Do more to attract and retain talent – local authorities, government departments and professional bodies should build upon programmes like Pathways to Planning; and implement steps to reverse recent pay erosion for planning professionals to help retain talent.
- Improve planning policy frameworks - telecommunications-specific reviews of the National Planning Policy Framework and Permitted Development Rights should happen as soon as possible.
- Foster proactive digital leadership within councils – by working with local government bodies to ensure the benefits of mobile connectivity are well understood by councils and that an evidence based and honest discussion can be made with residents about the infrastructure required to provide it.
