Broadband Connectivity Assessments in Bristol

In this article, we take a look at the specific requirements for Broadband Connectivity Assessments in Bristol.

Our Broadband Connectivity Assessments will enhance your planning journey by ensuring that your new build development provides either superfast broadband speeds and/or Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) infrastructure. You can find out more about Broadband Connectivity Assessments here.

Broadband Connectivity Assessments are also a known requirement in Manchester. More information regarding the specific requirements in Manchester can be found here.

When are Broadband Connectivity Assessments Required in Bristol?

Planning permission for residential and/or office building developments of a certain size may be subject to a condition on broadband connectivity. A Broadband Connectivity Assessment is often a requirement in Bristol. The purpose of a Broadband Connectivity Assessment in Bristol is to confirm the availability of superfast broadband services. Whilst Bristol City Council encourage developers to pursue the installation of FTTP, the requirement, at present, is for the provision of superfast broadband download speeds (understood to mean a minimum of 30 Mbps).

In Bristol, a Broadband Connectivity Practice Note (March 2018) provides guidance which states the following key points:

‘The current benchmark against which policy BCS15 should be applied is ‘superfast broadband’, defined by OFCOM as broadband with a download speed greater than 30 megabits per second (mbps).

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The requirements of policy BCS15 will be applied to for major development of at least 10 homes (including the conversion of existing buildings to new homes, where planning permission is required) or 1,000m² of non-residential floorspace.

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For larger developments of 30 or more new homes, the council will also remind developers of the aspiration set out in this practice note for full fibre technology and the benefits to future occupiers. Although this is not currently a requirement of policy BCS15, this is the level at which some providers will consider providing full fibre solutions free-of-charge to the developer, if given sufficient notice.

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To comply with policy BCS15:

• Applications for planning permission for major development should be accompanied by evidence of the superfast broadband connectivity of the site. This should take the form of a connectivity assessment, or similar proof, from one or more broadband infrastructure providers evidencing the availability of at least superfast broadband speeds (see section 3.3 below). This can be submitted as part of a sustainability statement accompanying the application.

• Where superfast broadband connectivity is available, the development should include the infrastructure to connect to this service and make it available to occupiers.

• Where superfast broadband connectivity is not currently available:

• Applications should be accompanied by evidence that discussions have been held with a range of providers to upgrade infrastructure to deliver superfast broadband or, for developments of 30 or more homes, full fibre connections.

• Where one or more providers have agreed to provide superfast broadband connectivity, the development should be designed to connect to this service and make it available to occupiers.

Where no provider has agreed to provide superfast broadband connectivity, the development should incorporate additional dedicated telecommunications.’

Contact Us

Pager Power has significant experience in undertaking broadband connectivity assessments and industry experience regarding the types of infrastructure that are available. Pager Power can advise on the current availability of superfast broadband services. Pager Power can also advise on the process for obtaining superfast services and/or FTTP infrastructure for your future new build development where it is not currently available. If you require a broadband connectivity assessment, follow the steps below.

1. Contact us. Pick up the phone (+44 (0)1787 319001), drop us an email, or complete our enquiry form. We look forward to hearing from you. We will likely recommend an initial call or video call to discuss your project. 
2. Receive a proposal. After discussing your project, we will look over the technical details and provide you with a proposal setting out our approach.
3. Trust us with your project. After agreeing to move forward with us, the project will be assigned to a technical expert, who will be your personal point of contact for your project.

Report delivery and aftercare. We will deliver the report within the agreed timeframe and then discuss with you the next steps. In many cases, our role is complete at this point as we will have successfully navigated the issue at hand however if further work is required, we are dedicated to providing you with the support you need to receive planning permission.

Pager Power

Pager Power is a dedicated technical consultancy that has been providing independent guidance and advice regarding solar developments, wind farms, and building developments internationally since 2002. Further details about what services we can provide can be found here. Pager Power has completed over 1,400 glint and glare assessments, over 1,000 aviation/radar impact assessments, over 500 television and radio reception surveys, and over 500 telecommunications impact assessments.

If you require assistance for one of your projects, please get in touch on our website or call us on +44 (0)1787 319001.

Thumbnail image accreditation: Planet Volumes (July 2023) from Unpslash.com. Last accessed on 29th September 2024. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-group-of-buildings-with-a-cloud-above-them-LSHbKz7szL0