Local authorities in England will be expected to prioritise the deployment of telecoms networks and data centres as the Government pursues digital infrastructure-driven growth
The new planning framework attaches more weight to telecoms infrastructure in local authority decision making
On 17 August 2026, the UK Government published its new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), replacing the previous version that was issued in 2012 and revised on several occasions since. The UK’s planning system is often cited by operators as a significant barrier to network deployment, particularly for mobile networks, and in turn to the Government’s ambition for standalone 5G (5GSA) to reach all populated areas by 2030. The updated NPPF directs local planning authorities (LPAs) – in England only – to place “substantial weight” on the benefits of improving or maintaining network coverage, capacity, reliability and resilience when making decisions on development proposals for telecoms infrastructure. This includes where significant improvements to networks are necessary, such as along rail corridors, where poor connectivity has continually been a problem. The NPPF states that LPAs should not “question the need for the expansion or upgrading of telecoms networks”. While this may send a clear signal about how the Government views the importance of such infrastructure being deployed, operators remain eager for further planning reforms, including to modernise permitted development rights and mast height rules, which they argue would help them effect network upgrades more quickly and efficiently.
Proposals for network deployment must use, upgrade or replace existing infrastructure where possible, while minimising its visual impact
The value the framework attaches to telecoms networks is relevant, but not limited to, providing for next-generation mobile technologies (such as 5GSA), gigabit-capable broadband connections and any supporting infrastructure, including fibre exchanges. The NPPF stipulates that any proposals for such developments should:
Use, upgrade or replace existing masts or other infrastructure unless there is no reasonable opportunity to do so (taking consumer needs and the efficient operation of the network into consideration);
Be sited and designed to minimise any visual impact, especially in situations where a new site or structure is proposed;
Not result in cumulative exposure to non-ionising radiation exceeding International Commission guidelines; and
Not cause significant and irremediable interference with other electrical equipment, air traffic services or instrumentation operated in the national interest.
Planning authorities should consider the importance of data centre development proposals to long-term economic growth
Following the Government’s recent classification of data centres as critical national infrastructure (CNI), the NPPF also states that more weight should be given to their importance in LPAs’ considerations over whether to grant planning permission. The framework’s focus on providing the conditions for long-term economic growth specifically requires LPAs to give consideration to “clusters, networks and sites for knowledge and data-driven, creative or high technology industries”, which includes data centres. Similarly to data centres’ CNI designation, the NPPF classifies them as “essential infrastructure” under its flood risk vulnerability classification. This inclusion enables data centre operators to deploy their infrastructure in flood risk zones, a perk only afforded to other essential infrastructure such as transport and utility infrastructure. Data centres often have specific location needs such as grid capacity, high-speed connectivity and cooling or water access. These requirements could make the flexibility of being able to deploy infrastructure in flood and non-flood zones particularly useful for data centre operators.
