Policy Positions & Responses to Consultations

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In this section, you will find MOA's positions on a range of public policy issues that affect our industry, including our submissions to consultation papers from the government departments in the UK, including the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

MOA Consultation Responses: 2013

In January 2013, we responded to the consultation on Priorities for Change in Scottish Planning Policy.

SPP Priorities for Change - MOA 11-01-13.pdf

MOA Consultation Responses: 2012

In June 2012, we responded to the Scottish Government Consultations on Development Delivery, Miscellaneous Amendments to the Planning System, and Fees for Planning Applications.

Scottish_Government_Consultation_on_Fees_for_Planning_Applications_2012_MOA_Response_Final.pdf

Scottish_Government_Development_Delivery_Consultation_2012_MOA_Response_Final.pdf

Scottish_Government_Miscellaneous_Planning_Amendments_Consultation_2012_MOA_Response_Final.pdf

MOA Submission to the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee

In April 2012, we provided evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee regarding the siting of mobile phone base stations.

MOA_PE_1416_MEMORANDUM_10-04-12.pdf

MOA Response to Neighbourhood Planning Regulations:

We have responded to the Government's consultation on the new Neighbourhood Planning Regulations. You can read our views on neighbourhood planning here:

Neighbourhood_Planning_Consultation_MOA_Response.pdf

We have responded to the Government's Stakeholder Consultation on the Mobile Infrastructure Project.

MOA_MIP_STAKEHOLDER_RESPONSE-FINAL.pdf

MOA Consultation Responses: 2011

MOA Response to National Planning Policy consultation

The Mobile Operators Association has responded to the Government's consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework. You can read our response here:
Draft_NPPF_MOA_Response.pdf

MOA responds to Lane Rental Consulation

The Mobile Operators Association has responded to the Department for Transport's consultation on Lane Rental. You can read our response here.

MOA_Response_to_Communications_Act_Review_Open_Letter-Final.pdf (June 2011)

Scottish_Government_GPDO_consultation_-_MOA_response.pdf (June 2011)

Localism_Bill_-_MOA_briefing_for_Public_Bill_Committee.pdf (February 2011)

National_Planning_Policy_Framework_-_MOA_submission.pdf (February 2011)

Amendments_to_the_Modernised_Planning_System_consultation_-_MOA_response.pdf (January 2011)

MOA Consultation Responses: 2010

Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Resourcing the Planning System (October 2010)

Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Good Neighbour Agreements (July 2010)

Response to proposed changes to the Welsh Planning System (April 2010)

Response to the Conservative Party ‘Open Source’ planning green paper (March 2010)

Response to the consultation on Non-Householder permitted Development Rights in Northern Ireland

MOA Consultation Responses: 2009

MOA comments on CLG ‘s Draft PPS15 – Planning for the Historical Environment (October 2009)

MOA submission to the consultation on Reforming the Planning System in Northern Ireland (October 2009)

MOA comments on the review of Telecoms Planning Policy in Wales (September 2009)

MOA submission to the CLG consultation on Additional Flexibility for Planning Permissions (August 2009)

MOA submission on the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill (June 2009)

MOA submission on Scottish Planning Policy (May 2009)

5.1 Million Mobile Broadband Connections

Mobile phones cannot work without a network of base stations (masts). There are approximately 52,500 base station sites (excluding microcells) in the UK. Only a third of these are large, free standing masts. A YouGov survey for MOA (Sept 2012) showed that nearly 8 out of 10 people recognise the link between masts and good mobile coverage. Mobile telecommunications are vital for the UK’s economic competitiveness and in promoting social inclusion. There are now over 81.6 million mobile subscriptions in the UK. Over 5.1 million customers now access mobile broadband services via a laptop and dongle, and 39 per cent of UK adults use their mobile phones for internet access. Tablet ownership rose to 11% of UK households.

No Established Health Effects

Mobile phones operate by using radio waves, similar to those that have been widely used for decades, for example in radio, TV and radar signals. A large number of studies over the last two decades have found no clear evidence of adverse health effects from the use of mobile phones or from phone masts.