Executive assessment
MHCLG has published the government response to its consultation on building-control requirements for telecommunications work. The outcome covers installation of fibre-optic cabling and building work related to mobile masts, including routes affecting higher-risk buildings and, for fibre work, local-authority and registered building-control approver routes for non-higher-risk buildings.
This matters to Northstar because our projects depend on timely planning and consenting decisions. A proportionate process could reduce delay and duplicated evidence requirements for fibre and mast deployment. However, the source landing page does not set out the final operative requirements, exemptions, conditions, commencement arrangements or interaction with existing approval routes.
Confirmed points
- The consultation concerned refinement of application processes for some telecommunications work within the higher-risk building regime.
- Fibre-optic work also covered local-authority and registered building-control approver routes for non-higher-risk buildings.
- The work types identified were fibre-optic cabling and mobile-mast building work.
- The stated policy aim is proportionate and effective regulation focused on resident safety.
- The government response was added on 9 July 2026.
- The non-HRB fibre Direction was replaced on 2 September 2026; the page also links to Directions for HRB fibre cabling and mobile-mast work.
- The consultation closed on 24 March 2026. No response deadline remains open.
Relevance to our approved position
The outcome is broadly consistent with our approved position supporting simplified infrastructure consenting and clearer, more predictable decision processes while retaining appropriate environmental and community safeguards. It may also support our fallback position on administrative reforms that improve coordination and reduce duplication.
Our red line remains relevant: implementation should not create parallel approval processes or require duplicated evidence. The source does not yet allow us to conclude whether that risk has been addressed.
Immediate internal implications
- Legal should establish the precise change introduced by each Direction.
- Operations should identify live and planned fibre and mast projects using the relevant approval routes.
- Project teams should assess any effect on programme dates, submission requirements, approver engagement and resident-safety obligations.
- Public Affairs should then update the Planning Reform issue narrative and stakeholder brief with confirmed implications only.
Candidate stakeholders for later monitoring
MHCLG, the Building Safety Regulator, local-authority building-control teams and registered building-control approvers are relevant candidates. Any engagement would require approval and should wait for the technical assessment.