Mobile UK warmly welcomes the Mayor’s leadership in explicitly recognising the disruption caused by Notices to Quit (NTQs). With over 100 London sites currently offline or facing removal due to redevelopment—costing the capital an estimated £2.7 billion annually in lost economic output—addressing NTQs is vital. Redevelopment is essential for London’s future, but when masts are removed before suitable alternatives exist, communities and businesses suffer prolonged "functional not-spots". The Mayor's clear expectation that service continuity must be protected is a major and positive step forward.

Mobile UK submitted its response to the Mayor’s Draft London Plan consultation, setting out a proactive roadmap to keep the capital connected as it builds. London’s mobile operators are investing billions into rolling out standalone 5G and upgrading capacity. To support this investment, Mobile UK’s submission aligns closely with Mobile UK's campaign to Mobilise Britain: treating digital connectivity not as an afterthought, but as essential Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) planned alongside transport, water, and energy.

However, to translate this shared vision into real-world outcomes, constructive action is still needed. Mobile UK's consultation submission outlines key priorities for City Hall:

• Elevate NTQ Protections into Policy: Turn the supportive text into enforceable policy within MBUL4, ensuring replacement sites are operational before existing infrastructure is switched off.

• Mandate Early Engagement: Require developers to identify affected mobile sites at the pre-application design stage.

• Embed CNI Status Across Planning: Formally integrate mobile connectivity as strategic enabling infrastructure across all housing, regeneration, and tall building policies.

Crucially, these priorities must align directly with City Hall’s recently published London Mobile Connectivity Framework. By harmonising the London Plan with the Framework, the Mayor can create a unified planning framework that demonstrates genuine focus and prioritisation for digital infrastructure.

London must build the homes and workspaces it urgently needs, but it must do so without switching off the vital connectivity Londoners and visitors rely on every day. Mobile UK looks forward to working in partnership with the Mayor and the GLA to turn these ambitions into reality.

Mobile UK's full response can be read here.

Image: AI Created