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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed Exclude telecommunication installations from permitted development legislation

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Require telecommunication installations in the public realm to go through the local planning process so that they need to be granted planning approval in the same way as most other installations.

Permitted development legislation introduced in 2015 is being used to install what we believe is unnecessary infrastructure on pavements to deliver broadband internet to areas already well served by an established network of underground cabling.

Amending legislation will ensure that planning permission is only granted when there is good reason for an installation. This should help reduce risk posed by cluttered streets to the visually impaired and wider community

7,864 signatures

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10,000

Petition progress

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  • Related activity

    Government responds to petition about planning permission for telecommunication telegraph pole installation

    The Government has responded to a public (paper) petition about planning permission for telecommunication telegraph pole installation. The petition was presented to the House of Commons by Emma Hardy MP.

    The petition calls for legal requirements for operators to apply for permission to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) on any proposed installation of telegraph poles and for the LPA to have to consult with residents before approving any proposed installations.

    In response to the petition's request, the Government sets out the current legislative framework for the installation of telecommunication telegraph poles, and the duties and obligations on operators, and the role of Ofcom in taking enforcement action. It states that it believe the existing rights, duties and obligations promote efficient deployment, while taking into account impacts on communities. It notes the concerns that have been raised regarding recent installations and recognises the need to ensure that deployment happens in accordance with the current legal framework, and is in discussions with Ofcom regarding this.

    What are public (paper) petitions?

    A public (paper) petition is a petition to the House of Commons presented by an MP.

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  • Petition closed

  • Related activity

    Government responds to petition about telecommunications installations

    The Government has responded to a public (paper) petition about planning permission for telecommunications installations. The petition was presented to the House of Commons by Dame Diana Johnson MP on behalf of residents of the United Kingdom.

    The petition asks the Government to create statutory requirements for communications network operators to apply for planning permission through the local authority for any proposed installations of telecommunication telegraph poles.

    In response to the petition's request, the Government states that the legislative framework currently in place strikes the right balance between ensuring not only that network deployment can happen at pace, but that installations are carried out in a proportionate way, with regard to the impacts on communities.

    In the response the Government states that it recognises that concerns have been raised regarding recent installations and that the Minister for Digital has written to local planning authorities and Ofcom to ensure operators are adhering to their statutory duties.

    What are public (paper) petitions?

    A public (paper) petition is a petition to the House of Commons presented by an MP.

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  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 6 October 2023.