IX Wireless Limited are a telecommunications company who are rolling out new equipment in Oldham to deliver broadband services to homes and businesses.
Much of this infrastructure will be installed above ground level and includes poles, cabinets, and cables.
Is planning permission required?
Certain developments can take place without the need for planning permission.
This includes companies such as BT, Virgin, mobile phone providers, and other operators including IX Wireless.
You may have already noticed new telegraph poles being erected.
Prior approval applications must be determined within 56 days otherwise they are granted automatically. This is not enough time to take these applications to the Planning Committee, so the decisions are made by council officers who are experienced professional town planners.
Officers must decide whether the proposal is ‘permitted development’ taking into account the particular considerations of siting and visual appearance. It’s a factual, technical decision, not a subjective planning decision in the same way as a full planning application.
What is a Street Pole?
IX Wireless sometimes refer to poles that support their antenna as Street Poles. These require prior approval from the council before they can be erected - under permitted development rights - because they support antenna.
What applications have already been made by IX Wireless?
Details of all current and determined applications can be found on our Public Access system.
From here, the quickest way to search for Prior Approval applications is:
- click on search for an application
- click on the advanced tab
- scroll down to development type and change this to ‘TEL Notifications 55 days’
Carrying out a search will then list the relevant application types. Please note that the list results will involve applications from all code operators, not just IX Wireless.
Why have residents not been consulted about the new poles?
Most of the infrastructure being installed does not require any form of approval from the council and therefore no applications are necessary. The council can’t override national planning regulations and no opportunity is given to consult residents.
Where a mast is proposed, the occupiers of adjoining/nearby properties will be sent a letter from the council notifying them of the application and inviting representations.
A site notice will also be erected close to the site. Any comments received will be considered, although only comments on the subject matters of ‘siting’ and ‘appearance’ can be taken into account in the council’s decision on the application.
Crucially, we cannot consider whether the service to be provided using the equipment is needed or not in that location.
It is for the operator to consider if the service is needed and where equipment needs to be located to provide that service. The council is very limited in what we can consider when assessing a Prior Approval application.
Is a permit required to carry out work on the Highway?
Any work to be carried out requires a permit, except in emergencies.
A utility provider must submit a permit application and have that before starting the work.
Before we grant a permit, we will consider the location, dates and times of any proposed works, how long they will take, and traffic management. Any work taking place without a permit, or in breach of any condition attached to a permit, could result in a fine.
What powers does the council have to prevent or remove new poles?
The council cannot prevent or remove any new poles that have been erected in compliance with the permitted development rights.
What has the council done to try and limit the impact of the infrastructure?
We met with IX Wireless. Officers also have regular discussions with IX Wireless regarding their proposals and are seeking to influence the proposals, where possible, to limit some of the impacts of the proposed new infrastructure.
Councillors have also written to the Government urging them to strengthen planning laws so that residents get more say over what happens on their streets.