Our Local Plan includes a policy which seeks to support improvements
to and extension of telecommunications and the provision of superfast
broadband infrastructure. We are in the process of preparing a
Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document which, amongst
other things, aims to encourage developers of new residential
development to liaise with broadband providers to ensure that Fibre to
the Premises (FTTP) is available to future residents of the development.
The SPD proposes to seek to impose a condition on developments of 30
dwellings or more and commercial development of 500sq metres or more
that will require the provision of ducting capable of accommodating a
full fibre network from a suitable entry point into the site and
onwards to each dwelling/commercial unit.
For all other developments the SPD proposes the inclusion of an
advisory note which encourage developers to provide ducting within the
development site. A footnote is also proposed which advises applicants
to liaise with Openreach at least six months before development
commences to ensure the provision of full fibre connections to the site.
Are there any other authorities that have implemented either a SPD to
address broadband provision or impose conditions on planning
applications? If so what is the threshold of the size of the site upon
which conditions are imposed?
