Written question WQ99452
- Asked by
- Dan ThomasReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 10 days
Question
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact that differences between planning rules in Wales and England have on mobile network quality and investment in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy (Adam Price)
We aim to create the right conditions for telecoms industry investment in mobile phone connectivity with the levers at our disposal and continue to make the case for ongoing investment in digital infrastructure throughout Wales.
Planning policy for Wales on telecommunications is set out in Future Wales and Planning Policy Wales. The Welsh Government has previously supported the deployment of fast modern telecoms infrastructure and put in place planning policy and Permitted Development Rights (PDRs) to help achieve this. Officials have asked the mobile industry, through the industry group Mobile UK, for evidence to underpin the case for further changes to planning legislation in respect of Permitted Development Rights and are awaiting responses.