Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is the local planning authority (LPA) responsible for making decisions on the siting and design of telecommunications equipment in the Borough. We are keen to encourage a joint working approach to telecommunications development, to involve everyone in a process that ultimately raises the level of consensus about the type and location of telecommunications equipment. We aim to ensure that the maximum amount of information about the possible location of telecommunications equipment is made public and debated as soon as is practicable. The Council has hosted separate and joint meetings with representatives of local residents groups, telecommunications mast action groups, and all of the operators, to discuss sharing information and working in a co-operative and communicative way with local communities.
The Council has produced a leaflet entitled ‘Planning and Telecommunications’ (see copy reproduced below). This explains our role in dealing with telecommunications development and consultation procedures. It outlines the need and demand for telecommunications equipment, Government policy, consultation arrangements, environmental, health and other considerations.
At the end of 2001, a panel of Councillors was established to look at telecommunications issues and the development of Council policy. The Panel has since organised a ‘Telecommunications Inquiry’ and made recommendations on how the Council can enhance its role in telecommunications development.
In early 2004, the Council adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance on telecommunications development. This outlines the legislative and policy context, the requirements for application submissions and consultation practices. It also provides advice on the siting and appearance of telecommunications development.
In October/November each year, all commercial telecommunications operators (Hutchison 3G, Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone) submit rollout plans, identifying those areas in the Borough where they wish to increase their coverage or capacity over the next year. The Council has collated this information onto a single ‘overview plan’, known as a ‘roll-out map’, which is publicly available for viewing at the Civic Offices and on this website.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council also has an active role in national telecomms issues. The Authority has been part of a steering group which has been convened by the ODPM to oversee a Review of the Code of Best Practice and has also been involved with the All Party Parliamentary Mobile Group which is examining the telecoms legislation and looking at how well it works in practice.