Telegraph Poles: Planning Permission

In the House of Commons, a minister has addressed the issue of the excessive deployment of telegraph poles, particularly in urban areas. The minister acknowledged that many of his colleagues have faced similar problems in their constituencies and welcomed the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, who had previously stated that the government is urgently considering options to address the concerns about the excessive deployment of telegraph poles. The minister focused on the current absence of a requirement to consult residents under the legislative and regulatory regime inherited by the government. While the minister emphasized that this is not about being against telegraph poles or the roll-out of fast broadband, which is vital in a society increasingly dependent on fast and reliable internet services, the minister argued that it is wrong that when poles are sited inappropriately, the recourse for residents is often advisory only and, in many cases, completely lacking in practice. The minister cited official statistics suggesting that in their Birmingham Northfield constituency, almost 99% of residents have access to superfast broadband, which is better than in neighboring rural areas. However, the minister acknowledged that the government has some scepticism about the accuracy of these figures. The minister argued that the case for the changes in 2013 that established the current permitted development regime focused almost exclusively on the need to extend superfast broadband to rural areas and new-build estates, with little to no consideration given to how the legislation would impact already built-up, urban areas. As a result, the minister stated that the consequences are now being seen in south Birmingham, as some residents are left to accommodate poles that are unwanted, unneeded, and obtrusive.