AQW 5708/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 10/07/2020
Answered On Date: 28/07/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure in order in assist in the rapid rollout of mobile infrastructure in rural areas, whether her Department plans to review the planning permitted development rights for the installation of telecommunication masts.

Answer:

I recognise that improving our digital infrastructure is vital to Northern Ireland’s economy and Planning has an important role to play in this.

As you may be aware in May 2016 my Department issued a consultation paper seeking views on a range of proposals to amend permitted development rights for telecommunications development. While the consultation proposals would not change the current requirement that planning permission is required for new ground based mobile phone masts, they would enhance the ability of operators to undertake works such as replacing, altering or extending an existing mast or installing antenna on a mast or building as quickly as possible, without having to go through the planning process.

I am currently considering the proposals and responses to the previous consultation as well as other views expressed more recently, including from the mobile industry.