Mobile UK, in its response to the Welsh Government’s consultation on the consolidation of the Town and Country (Use Classes) Order 1987 and Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, makes it clear that further reform to the Permitted Development regime is vital if Wales is to keep pace with other areas of the UK in terms of coverage and capacity and to enjoy the opportunities that will become available from 5G.

Mobile UK calls on Wales to implement reforms in advance of 5G deployment, and specifically to consider all 5G deployment de minimis (small cells) or executed under permitted development (macrocells), to enhance mobile operators’ ability to get to scale quickly.

Hamish MacLeod, Director at Mobile UK, said:

“Wales has a unique opportunity to be bold and grab the opportunity to fundamentally reform its Permitted Development Rights regime to enhance Wales’ position within the UK to create a positive and conducive environment to mobile infrastructure rollout, and in particular, to ready itself for 5G.”

Notes to Editors

1. Mobile UK is the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators -  EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.
2. The full response to the Welsh Government’s consultation on the consolidation of the Town and Country (Use Classes) Order 1987 and Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995  can be read below