Collaboration is key. This guidance seeks to provide a clear route for engagement with each of the Local Planning authorities in Essex. Each of the LPAs (including Essex Highways) are responsible for determining applications appropriately and timely to enable the future roll out of the 5G and digital network. This guide also sets out the requirements on the agents and applicants of mobile and fixed network infrastructure operators to ensure they address and mitigate any site-specific issues as well as providing the appropriate rational and relevant information to inform decision making.

List of Local Planning Authorities and contacts

District	Email	Phone
Basildon	planning@basildon.gov.uk	01268533333
Braintree	planning@braintree.gov.uk	01376557705
Brentwood	planning@brentwood.gov.uk	01277312500
Castle Point	planning@castlepoint.gov.uk	01268882200
Chelmsford	development.management@chelmsford.gov.uk	01245606826
Colchester	planning.services@colchester.gov.uk	01206282424
Epping Forest	contactplanning@eppingforestdc.gov.uk	01992564000
Harlow	planning.services@harlow.gov.uk	01279446655
Maldon	planning@maldon.gov.uk	01621854477
Rochford	planning.applications@rochford.gov.uk	01702318191
Tendring	planning.services@tendringdc.gov.uk	01255686161
Uttlesford	planning@uttlesford.gov.uk	01799510510
Southend-on-Sea	PlanningRegistrationTeam@southend.gov.uk	01702215004
Thurrock	opportunity@thurrock.gov.uk	07523945280

 Specialist Advice

Heritage Environment Records (HER)

enquiries@placeservices.co.uk

Escalation Contact

Superfast Essex

digital@essex.gov.uk

Single Point of Contact

Network providers should provide a Single Point of Contact (“SPOC”) for Local Planning Authorities  prior to, and during, the deployment of digital infrastructure. Introducing a SPOC, and making their contact information available to local authorities, can support the rollout of networks by providing an effective means for local authorities to engage with operators and vice versa. In an equivalent way, it will be helpful if LPAs can identify and nominate a SPOC to enable effective engagement with MNOs, who might be the allocated Development Management case officer for handling applications / prior approval matters or an officer with specialist knowledge in these matters.

The MNO SPOC will also be responsible for coordinating the work of those responsible for builds and any subcontractors, making sure they are aware of, and adhere to, local policies and processes as outlined by local authorities.