SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 121
number of masts and sites to a minimum, consistent with the efficient operation of the
network and providing reasonable capacity for future expansion. The Government’s
Industrial Strategy also seeks to boost digital infrastructure through the provision of funding
for 5G technology and for local areas to encourage the roll out of full-fibre networks. As part
of this, the West Midlands is to become the UK’s first ever multi city test bed for 5G mobile
technology.
380.
The guidance for telecommunication development reflects both the strategic requirements of
networks and the limitations imposed by the nature of the technology, as well as the need to
protect amenity and sensitive environments. Sensitive uses include residential areas,
education and health institutions, all heritage assets and their settings, features
characteristic of the Arden landscape, sites of ecological and geological importance, open
space and the Green Belt. In such areas telecommunications infrastructure development will
be discouraged, unless there are no other locations that meet operational requirements and
cause less environmental harm. Telecommunications infrastructure improvements should be
undertaken sensitively and equipment should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged
where appropriate. Both the individual and cumulative impacts should be considered, to
avoid any unacceptable visual harm.
381.
In more rural parts of Solihull telecommunications infrastructure often has poor capacity and
coverage. Some parts of the Borough experience slow broadband speed and poor
telecommunication signals. Improvements to the telecommunications infrastructure can
address this problem and thereby help to combat social exclusion of residents, improve
access to services (including emergency services), and reduce the need to travel.
382.
An improved communications network also contributes to the local economy by providing
people with a choice as to how and where they can operate their business, facilitating home
working and potentially attracting new employment opportunities.
383.
Access to broadband is a vital component of infrastructure in today’s world. It is key to
growing a sustainable local economy, vital for education and home working and an
increasingly central part of community cohesion and resilience, particularly in rural areas. In
addition, Local Authorities are increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure to provide services
and interact with their customers and the Council acknowledge the need for 5G in the future
delivery of public services.
384.
The policy seeks to ensure that communications infrastructure is treated as essential
infrastructure in new developments. New properties and premises should be constructed
with connections already installed to enable occupiers to secure direct connections from the
moment they move in. Local Planning Authorities have a pivotal role to play in encouraging
developers to ‘future-proof’ their developments by installing direct fibre access, wherever
possible, not least to avoid any future disruption in terms of highways works.
385.
In addition to the reputational and wider economic benefits of ensuring that residents are
able to access high speed broadband when they move into new developments, there is also
the issue of avoiding the costs and frustrations to occupiers of future retrofitting if the
infrastructure is not fit for purpose.
386.
Enhanced broadband provision also has the potential to reduce the need for road, rail and
air travel. Developers are key in determining how projects shape an area; therefore the
planning of telecommunications infrastructure in relation to development is vital.
387.
This will be complementary to the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Superfast Broadband
project which the Council is part of. This is a project that is helping to deliver the broadband
initiative, particularly in the rural areas.
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