Guidance

BDUK broadband delivery guidance

Published 27 March 2023

The broadband supplier guidance offers guidance for broadband suppliers delivering gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure near to or within protected land, heritage assets, Network Rail land/assets and access to other government owned land, as well as standardised wayleave agreements for accessing land owned by government departments to install broadband networks.

1. National Parks Accord

The National Parks Accord clarifies the complex planning and notification requirements to install broadband infrastructure in English National Parks.

2. Natural England

The Natural England guidance for broadband suppliers outlines the steps which need to be taken to install gigabit-capable broadband in or near to protected land designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). A broad outline of the process required is shown below:

1. Read through the sections in the guidance document around SSSIs, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites, and the legislation that applies to them.
2. Determine whether your programme of work may affect a protected site by using “Magic” map application, and consult sections 7 and 8 when undertaking step 3 below. You may also contact Natural England’s Discretionary Advice Service (DAS) to receive free advice at protectedsites@naturalengland.org.uk.
3. Contact the relevant local planning authority in good time to request a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) can be conducted on your behalf. Natural England strongly recommends that Code Operators contract in qualified/experienced ecologists where required.
4. Once the assessment has been conducted, and it is determined that it may affect a protected site, consult section 7 of the guidance document.
5. Submit a notice for approval to the LPA or Natural England with this information.

3. Historic England

Historic England has produced guidance for broadband suppliers working near to heritage assets and their settings, including online resources to consult when planning rollout and key permissions which may be required if installation in, on, or under a designated heritage asset is unavoidable.

4. Country Landowners Association (CLA) / National Farmer’s Union (NFU) wayleave

The CLA / NFU standardised wayleave is commonly used by landowners and broadband suppliers for agreeing installation of broadband services over land.

5. Wayleave requests from Other Government Departments (OGDs) and Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs)

Wayleave requests can be sought from property teams within the following OGDs and ALBs:

Organisation	Email address
National Highways	PropertyManagement@nationalhighways.co.uk
Network Rail	easementsandwayleaves@networkrail.co.uk (see process below)
Forestry England	mari.sibley@forestryengland.uk
Canal & Rivers Trust	utilitiesenquiry@canalrivertrust.org.uk

6. Network Rail

Broadband suppliers looking to secure wayleaves or asset protection agreements, or discuss asset reuse with Network Rail should follow the processes outlined in the following links:

Wayleaves and easements information: Rent property - Network Rail Asset protection agreements: Downloads for third parties - Network Rail

Asset reuse guidance and questionnaire plus other info: Telecoms opportunities - Network Rail

Broadband suppliers should ensure that engagement with Network Rail is undertaken as early as possible.

7. Councillor Guidance

The BDUK Councillor Guidance provides an overview of Project Gigabit and answers to frequently asked questions. It outlines how councillors can use their unique local role to support the deployment of gigabit-capable broadband in their area.