Is planning a barrier to the development of digital network infrastructure? Insights from rural Wales

Cowell, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1639-8004 and Mukherjee, Ananya ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4007-5459 2023. Is planning a barrier to the development of digital network infrastructure? Insights from rural Wales. Planning Practice and Research 38 (2) , pp. 292-309. 10.1080/02697459.2022.2159327

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Abstract

This paper investigates the frequent claim that planning is a ‘barrier’ to developing digital networks (mobile telephony and broadband), causing ‘delay’ and deficits in rural network coverage. It draws on planning applications data and expert interviews gathered in Wales. It found only a relatively small proportion of infrastructure applications failing to gain consent but that developers did perceive planning uncertainty and constraints to adversely affect network roll out. However, economics rather than planning has been the central factor limiting rural network coverage. More fundamentally, framing planning as a ’barrier’ to infrastructure delivery ignores how planning mediates between alternative technological pathways.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Geography and Planning (GEOPL)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	0269-7459
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	19 December 2022
Date of Acceptance:	13 December 2022
Last Modified:	09 Nov 2024 20:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/155021

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