Ashford Leading the way in broadband connectivity

Press release

16 March 2020

Ashford Borough Council is consulting on a new supplementary planning document (SPD) around how new developments deliver fibre broadband connectivity.

The council is one of the first in the country to have an SPD dedicated to the delivery of fibre broadband. The document gives further details on Policy EMP6 Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) of the Ashford Local Plan 2030 (adopted in February 2019). It is designed to help applicants ensure that new residential and business premises have full fibre broadband connectivity.

The consultation is open until 1 May and anyone interested can have their say on the draft document on the council's consultation portal at www.ashford.gov.uk/consultations.

Cllr Neil Shorter, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: "Ashford Borough Council is proud to be leading the way on the expansion of high-speed broadband. Research shows that high speed broadband has an impact on where people want to live and work, and we want to make sure that residents of Ashford borough get the best possible services, including the fastest broadband."

An SPD provides further guidance to applicants on specific policies within a local plan, setting out how the policy can be complied with. It guides what evidence is required to support the planning application, making the steps the applicant has taken to provide FTTP clear to the decision maker. When the draft version is adopted by the council it will be a material planning consideration in decision-making, meaning the council will use it to assess planning applications.

 ENDS  

Public relations issued on behalf of Ashford Borough Council

For more information contact:

Darren Laws
01634671167
Darren.laws@zesttheagency.com