Telecommunication developments

Bracknell Forest's register of telecommunications development (PDF, 290kb) is regularly updated. This lists the location of existing telecommunication development used by the mobile phone operator networks.

The purpose of the register is to highlight existing masts and structures in Bracknell Forest that may be suitable to accommodate additional telecommunications equipment. This will assist operators in finding suitable sites for mast sharing or for the co-location of sites. You can also view a copy of the register at the council's office at Time Square in Bracknell.

Future development within Bracknell Forest

In October to November each year the local planning authority is sent ‘roll out’ information from the five main operators - T-mobile, Orange, 3, O2 and Vodafone. This information shows the likely areas of search for suitable sites of telecommunications development for the following year.

The council produces an annual map which combines the five mobile phone operators’ roll out information. This map shows ‘areas of search’ for telecommunication equipment in the borough. You can view the map at the council's office at Time Square in Bracknell.

Whilst not a planning consideration the council, as landowner, gets requests from time to time for the erection of telecommunications equipment on its land.

The council does not have a blanket policy and seeks to consider all cases on their merits. In some instances the council is in a position to allow the use of its land thereby removing the need for masts to be erected amongst homes, for example.

Please contact the council's head of property about any issues regarding the siting of telecommunications equipment on any sort on council-owned land.

Health concerns

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is an independent scientific body which has produced an international set of guidelines for public exposure to radio frequency waves. These guidelines were recommended in the Stewart Report and adopted by the Government, replacing the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) guidelines.

Health and the planning system

Government Guidance, the National Planning Policy Framework, gives advice on planning for telecommunications development. This states that “Local planning authorities must determine applications on planning grounds. They should not seek to prevent competition between different operators, question the need for the telecommunications system, or determine health safeguards if the proposal meets International Commission guidelines for public exposure."