Object

Representation ID: 5154

Received: 16/03/2023

Respondent: Home Builders Federation

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Part (iii) of the policy is unsound as it is inconsistent with national policy and is unjustified.

The policy requires all residential development to ensure new development benefits from gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure at first occupation. However, the delivery of super-fast broadband connections is often not in the gift of the developer. The HBF agrees that such infrastructure is important, however, its provision is not essential and should not be considered a barrier to the occupation of new homes as indicated in this policy. Whilst the HBF supports the Council’s desire for such infrastructure it is their responsibility to work with the infrastructure provider to ensure its delivery and enable developments to be connected. Given that the type of connection required of development is also set out in Part R of the Building Regulations we consider it unnecessary to set this out in local plan policy. Paragraph relating to Fibre to the Premises should therefore be deleted.