“It is planned that most people in Lancashire should be able to receive superfast broadband in the next few years but there are serious planning concerns” says County Cllr Bill Winlow, who strongly supports the need for superfast broadband.

According to todays Daily Telegraph, MPs will debate proposals this week that will make it easier for telecoms to expand their broadband networks across the country. The plans, contained in the Growth and Infrastructure Bill, remove a requirement for developers to seek planning approval for new telecommunications infrastructure. However, local authorities said they have major concerns that the proposals “could open the floodgates to phone masts, as well as broadband street cabinets and overhead cabling, being built in the countryside and near to people’s homes”.

“The Growth and Infrastructure Bill is going to cause serious planning issues for both broadband and fracking.  Central Government should not interfere in the local planning process” says Bill Winlow