It's been six years since we saw the introduction of the Electronic Communications Code (ECC), and whilst the Code was brought in to allow for the development and digitalisation of the UK at a faster rate, many landowners view the method in which operators are going about securing further sites and negotiations as threatening, leaving them with no option to renew or face the tribunal. We caught up with one of our surveyors in our telecoms team, Hannah Solley, to find out how some landowners, especially in rural communities, are turning to operators to enhance the coverage in their area.
“A key client for the telecoms team is Chatsworth Estate, which boasts several estates across the UK. We act on various telecom matters on each of their estates, one of which is Bolton Abbey, surrounded by the Yorkshire Dales. The abbey has been in situ since the 12 Century so its remote rural location as one can imagine, does not bode itself well to 3G let alone 5G.
“We were contacted by the Estate Manager at Bolton Abbey who had been in contact with one of the operators for a proposed Shared Rural Network Site (SRN). The SRN which is developed by the UK’s four mobile networking operators and Government, aims to deliver 4G coverage to 95% of the UK, enabling rural businesses and communities to thrive. Ofcom is proposing a deadline of industry-funded coverage improvements in partial non-spot areas of June 2024 and to deliver on publicly funded coverage improvements in total non-spot areas by early 2027, however, they are predicting coverage will be delivered to 95% of the UK by the end of 2025. This should transform mobile coverage, countrywide. “The Bolton Abbey estate compromises 30,000 acres, sitting in that are 80 plus commercial properties as well as residential houses. I met with the estate manager, WHP Telecoms Ltd and several contractors at the proposed site. Not so surprisingly, the proposed site sits on top of a hill, in the proximity of two villages in the Yorkshire Dales in which the estate has many properties.
“The agent shared stories with me on how they have many tenants unable to get internet or signal at all in their homes, with one tenant even taking to sitting out in their garden all year round with a signal booster to take work calls and answer emails. Whilst this may sound amusing, to have tenants with these issues in today’s modern society, is quite problematic for an estate like Bolton Abbey, not only does it hinder the commercial opportunities that they may wish to promote, but also prevents a rural community from thriving.
“We are currently in the stages of negotiating the terms of the new lease with the operator, we are being faced with some challenges relating to the potential wind blow and timber felling compensation which need to be resolved but it is exciting to see how the SRN will benefit this rural community moving forward. For those living in rural and remote areas, and young people especially, the internet's 'information highway' is a road out of isolation and a pathway to education, understanding, wider opportunities and richer life. This enrichment is key to growing socially responsible communities and empowered individuals. Access to the internet is essential for education, healthcare, job opportunities, and emergencies and without it, rural communities are at a significant disadvantage compared to their urban counterparts.”
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