High speed broadband statement
Last Updated: 23 August 2023
Communications infrastructure which is up-to-date and fit for purpose is essential to meet the changing needs of businesses and individual users. New build developments can sometimes suffer from delays in the installation of internet infrastructure and poor, unreliable or low speed connectivity.
At a time when home working is increasing in popularity and enabling more sustainable travel behaviours, as well as the importance of high quality digital infrastructure for economic growth, it is vital that new build developments in South Lakeland are equipped with the best possible digital infrastructure available, and are designed to be ready to accommodate future improvements in the network.
The Connecting Cumbria website provides details of the rollout of the ‘Broadband Delivery UK’ programme in Cumbria and provides links to a range of information sources on the availability of superfast broadband in Cumbria. It also provides details of active network and broadband providers in the area.
When required
- residential development of 2 or more dwellings
- commercial development
Contents of a high speed broadband statement
The statement should outline how the developer has considered facilitating superfast broadband (30Mbps) in their development, including discussions they have had with broadband and network providers before submitting a planning application. The level of detail required should be proportionate to the scale of the proposed development.
The statement should include:
- details of engagement with broadband and network providers, including names of providers contacted, dates of contact, and summary of feedback received
- the findings of the free connectivity assessment from Openreach, including details of any cost contributions that would be required from the developer in cases where Openreach cannot offer a free service
- the current connectivity options for the site and achievable internet speeds
- the potential connectivity options for the development and potential achievable internet speeds, including a consideration of Fibre to The Premises Infrastructure (FTTP) to enable ultrafast broadband (100Mbps)
- the proposed method of ensuring superfast broadband for the site, including measures to ensure that the development is ‘high speed ready’ in cases where it is unfeasible or disproportionately costly to provide superfast connectivity at the time of the development