Policy information sourced from Brentwood Local Plan
BE07: Connecting New Developments to Digital Infrastructure
To support Brentwood’s economic growth and productivity now and in the future, all development proposals should:
- Provide up to date communications infrastructure as an integral part of development proposals. As a minimum, all new developments must be served by the fastest available broadband connection, installed on an open access basis. This includes installation of appropriate cabling within dwellings and business units and full connection of the developed areas to the main telecommunications network;
- ensure that sufficient ducting space for future digital connectivity infrastructure (such as small cell antenna and ducts for cables, that support fixed and mobile connectivity and therefore underpins smart technologies) is provided wherever possible;
- support the effective use of the public realm, such as street furniture andother installations, to accommodate new state of the art well-designed and integrated mobile digital communication infrastructure;
When installing new and improving existing digital communication infrastructure in new development, proposals should:
- identify and plan for the telecommunications network demand and infrastructure needs from first occupation;
- take into account the Highway Authority’s land requirements so as not to impede or add to the cost of the highway mitigation schemes where the location and route of new utility services in the vicinity of the highway network or proposed new highway network;
- ensure the scale, form and massing of the new development does not cause unavoidable interference with existing communications infrastructure in the vicinity. If so, opportunities to mitigate such impact through appropriate design modifications should be progressed including measures for resiting, re-provision or enhancement of any relevant communications infrastructure within the new development;
- demonstrate that the siting and design of the installation would not have a detrimental impact upon the visual and residential amenity of neighbouring occupiers, the host building (where relevant), and the appearance and character of the area;
- seek opportunities to share existing masts or sites with other providers; and
- all digital communication infrastructure should have the capacity to respond to changes in technology requirements over the life of the development.
Where applicants can demonstrate, through consultation with broadband infrastructure providers, that superfast broadband connection is not practical, or economically viable:
- the developer will ensure that broadband service is made available via an alternative technology provider, such as fixed wireless or radio broadband; and
- ducting to all premises that can be accessed by broadband providers in the future, to enable greater access in the future. Only where this is not practicable or viable, the Council will seek developer contribution towards off-site works to enable those properties access to superfast broadband, either via fibre optic cable or wireless technology in the future to provide like capacity.
For more information please see the Local Plan