Telecommunication Developments

In order to increase the amount of information available to the public in relation to telecommunications development within Bracknell Forest, the following documents have been prepared:

Existing Telecommunications Development in Bracknell Forest:

The Register of Telecommunications Development is regularly updated. This lists the location of existing telecommunication development used by the mobile phone operator networks.

Government guidance, Planning Policy Guidance 8 Telecommunications, gives advice on planning for telecommunications development. This states that “authorities are encouraged to maintain a register of masts and other structures to which apparatus could be attached. Such a register will assist operators in considering possible antenna sites in the local authority area.”

Accordingly the purpose of the updated register is to highlight existing masts and structures in Bracknell Forest that may be suitable to accommodate additional telecommunications equipment. This will assist operators in finding suitable sites for mast sharing or for the co-location of sites. A copy of the register is also available for viewing at the Council Offices, Time Square, Bracknell.

Future Development within Bracknell Forest:

In October to November each year the Local Planning Authority is sent ‘roll out’ information from the five main operators. This information shows the likely areas of search for suitable sites of telecommunications development for the following year.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council produces an annual map which combines the five mobile phone operators’ roll out information. This map shows ‘areas of search’ for telecommunication equipment in the Borough. This map is also available for viewing at the Council Offices, Time Square, Bracknell.

Whilst not a planning consideration the Council, as landowner, gets requests from time to time for the erection of telecommunications equipment on its land.

The Council does not have a blanket policy and seeks to consider all cases on their merits. In some instances the Council is in a position to allow the use of its land thereby removing the need for masts to be erected amongst homes for example.

Any issue regarding the siting of telecommunications equipment of any sort on Council-owned land should be referred via the Head of Property within Corporate Property.