Broadband Connectivity Assessments in Manchester

In this article, we take a look at the specific requirements for Broadband Connectivity Assessments in Manchester. This assessment may also be required in Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

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 to Maximise Planning Success here.

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

When are Broadband Connectivity Assessments Required in Manchester?

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 Manchester and now requires all new developments to have FTTP broadband infrastructure installed.

Manchester City Council has provided guidance in ‘Full, Outline, Reserved Matters & Variation/Removal of Conditions Planning Applications: Is Your Application Valid? (2020)’:

‘All new build residential developments must incorporate measures to facilitate digital connectivity for all new build residential properties having regard to the Data Ducting Infrastructure Guidance produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government. (Section 10 NPPF)’

Furthermore, ‘Places for Everyone’ (PfE), which is a joint plan between nine Local Authorities (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan). The PfE Plan took effect and became part of the statutory development plan for each of the nine PfE authorities on March 21, 2024. Policy JP-C2: Digital Connectivity that relates to broadband connectivity is set out below.

‘We support the provision of affordable, high quality, digital infrastructure.

In making decisions we will support a range of measures, including:

1. Enabling the roll-out of latest generation mobile technology and full fibre to the premises connectivity, in a way that maximises coverage whilst protecting townscape quality and ensuring an ability to respond to updated/changing technology;
2. Requiring all new development to have full fibre to premises connections, unless technically infeasible and/or unviable, and to incorporate multiple-ducting compliant with telecoms standards, to facilitate future-proof gigabit-capable network connections. It is expected that internet connections will be operational and immediately accessible to network providers when occupiers move into new properties and
3. Facilitating the provision of free, secure, high speed public wi-fi connections, particularly in the most frequented areas.’

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 and FTTP infrastructure. Pager Power can also advise on the process for obtaining superfast services 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.
4. 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