VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Broadband: Planning

Asked by Mims DaviesConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 20 July 2026UIN 12745

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, in the context of consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework, if he will revise Part 9 to recognise mobile telecommunications as an essential service and reflect this in planning reform to deliver connectivity across the UK.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework. The consultation on the revised framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included a new section intended to replace Chapter 10 of current Framework on supporting high-quality telecommunications infrastructure.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

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