Mobile UK welcomes the Scottish Government’s review of the planning system in Scotland, and in doing so acknowledges the critical nature of mobile infrastructure.

The planning regime in Scotland must act as an enabler to mobile infrastructure deployment, and be consistent with the policy established for telecommunications which aims to extend mobile coverage across the country.

Additionally, in undertaking the review Mobile UK calls on the Scottish Government to take into account future changes in technology and ensure that any reforms made to the planning system following this consultation remain flexible enough to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the mobile communications markets.

Gareth Elliott, Head of Policy and Communications, said:

“Mobile is increasingly becoming the device of choice for running daily life at home and at work. Nearly six in ten adults in Scotland use their mobile phone to access the internet yet 4G take up remains lower than the UK average.

Mobile network operators are investing heavily in their networks to increase coverage and to improve quality and capacity; however, it is important that the planning system does not unnecessarily get in the way of mobile infrastructure deployment.

In our response to this consultation we look forward to hearing back from the Scottish Government practical proposals to unlock the system, particularly in the form of extended permitted development rights, to provide the mobile industry with certainty to plan and deploy mobile infrastructure with confidence.”

Click here to download Mobile UK’s response to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the Future of the Scottish Planning System.

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Notes to Editors

1. Mobile UK is the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators -  EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.
2. The Scottish Government’s consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system can be found here.
3. In 2016, more than six in ten adults in Scotland said they used their mobile phone to access the internet - The Communications Market Report 2016: Scotland, Ofcom – click here.