Today›Work›Government responds on proportionate building-control rules for telecommunications work
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Government responds on proportionate building-control rules for telecommunications work

Linked to Planning Reform

OwnerAlex
Next deadlineNo date
Outputs3
THE BRIEF ALEX IS WORKING FROM

The response may change approval requirements for fibre infrastructure and mobile mast work, affecting project timelines and consenting certainty; the practical impact still needs checking. Recommended actions: 1. Review the government response and replaced Direction for changes affecting fibre and mast projects. 2. Ask Legal and Operations to identify any live Northstar projects that could be affected. 3. Add the confirmed implications to the Planning Reform position and stakeholder brief.

Current next move ↓
Alex’s proposed approach
  1. Review the government response and replaced Direction for changes affecting fibre and mast projects.
  2. Ask Legal and Operations to identify any live Northstar projects that could be affected.
  3. Add the confirmed implications to the Planning Reform position and stakeholder brief.
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Ask for a revision, another briefing format, a deadline change or give Alex the missing evidence. The conversation stays attached to this job.

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WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW

Answer 2 evidence questions

Alex has completed the useful work possible without guessing and will continue from the answer.

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ALEX’S LATEST READNeeds team input
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I've prepared Internal response framework: For validation only as a draft.

IssuePlanning Reform
ConfidenceConfirmed
Progress3 of 5 steps
PROGRESS

The next step

3 / 5

Alex keeps the full plan underneath this simple view.

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CURRENT STEPMap operational impact

We still need a project-level check before judging effects on approval requirements, programme certainty or evidence burdens.

View full workplan5 steps
✓
Review the government outcomeCompleted

Confirmed publication of the MHCLG response on 9 July 2026 and replacement of the non-HRB fibre Direction on 2 September 2026.

✓
Assess alignment with our positionCompleted

The stated aim of proportionate, effective processes aligns with our support for simpler consenting, clearer timetables and reduced duplication, subject to retaining safety and community safeguards.

✓
Prepare internal analysisCompleted

Mapped the source scope across fibre cabling, mobile masts, higher-risk buildings and non-higher-risk building-control routes, while separating confirmed points from matters requiring the full Directions.

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Map operational impactWaiting

We still need a project-level check before judging effects on approval requirements, programme certainty or evidence burdens.

NEEDS INPUTLegal and Operations
Provide input →
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Update stakeholder briefWaiting

The Planning Reform position should not be amended until the operative requirements and Northstar impacts are confirmed.

NEEDS INPUTLegal
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NEEDS YOU

2 things Alex needs

2 open

Each request is kept short. Give Alex the answer directly and the work can continue.

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WaitingLegal and Operations

Map operational impact

Please review the government response and all three Directions, then identify any live or planned Northstar fibre or mast projects affected, incl…

View other requests1
!
WaitingLegal

Update stakeholder brief

Please confirm whether the Directions reduce duplication without creating new approval stages, and flag any safety, liability or implementation c…

OUTPUTSDrafts and briefingsReview, share or continue from the latest versions.
3 current
Draftv1 · Public Affairs team

Internal brief: Telecommunications building-control outcome

The outcome could improve delivery certainty for relevant infrastructure, but the practical benefit remains unconfirmed until the Directions and live project pipeline are reviewed.

Open output →
Draftv1 · Public Affairs team

Consultation analysis: Telecommunications building-control rules

The consultation scope supports our policy objective, but the substantive final questions and detailed government decisions require review of the linked response and Directions.

Open output →
Draftv1 · Public Affairs team

Internal response framework: For validation only

A structured holding draft is prepared for internal review, not submission, because the consultation has closed and the final operative text has not yet been checked.

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ALEX CAN ALSO HELPMore ways to move this workCreate a brief or ask Alex to continue from the current evidence.
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ALEX CAN DO THIS NOWKeep this Work Item moving
COMPANY POSITIONPreferred position, fallback and red lines
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Preferred position

Government should simplify consenting and introduce clearer decision deadlines for nationally significant and regionally important infrastructure, while retaining appropriate environmental and community safeguards.

Fallback

Support administrative reforms that reduce duplication between consenting bodies and improve pre-application coordination if full statutory reform is not achievable.

Red lines

Reforms should not create new parallel approval processes that add time or duplicate evidence requirements.

SOURCE & SUPPORTING EVIDENCEImproving proportionality and safety outcomes in building control: telecommunications work
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SourceGOVUK · Primary
ConfidenceConfirmed
Published27 Jan 2026

We are seeking views on proposals to change application requirements for telecommunications work within the higher-risk building regime.

Open official source ↗