Infrastructure & Delivery

Proposed Approach

Digital Infrastructure

With more of us online than ever before, Oldham Council is implementing a digital strategy to support resident demand for digital services.

While much much of the strategy focuses on what the council can do to improve its digital presence, it also addresses the need to strengthen Oldham's digital fibre infrastructure - so that homes and businesses can access digital connections that reflect current and future demand.

Section 106

Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows a local planning authority, like us, to enter into a legally-binding agreement or planning obligation with a landowner as part of the granting of planning permission.

These agreements are a way of delivering or addressing matters that are necessary to make a development acceptable in planning terms. They can be used to support the provision of services and infrastructure, such as highways, recreational facilities, education, health and affordable housing.

The policies listed below are designed to support the delivery of essential infrastructure in Oldham. A brief summary of them is given under each heading.

• Policy IN1 - Digital Infrastructure and Telecommunications:
  • This policy details how the council will deal with new infrastructure that extends and improves digital connectivity across the borough and where it provides access to 5G and gigabit capable full fibre technology.
• Policy IN2 - Planning Obligations:
  • Policy IN2 "Planning Obligations" details how the council will deal with S106 agreements and where necessary, viability assessments.
• Policy IN3 - Delivering Social Value and Inclusion:
  • Policy IN3, "Delivering Social Value and Inclusion," ensures that all developments in Oldham should maximise their social value and contribute to enhancing social inclusion in alignment with the Oldham Partnership's vision of 'Uplifting Every Resident.' Major development planning applications are required to be accompanied by a Social Value Strategy. Additionally, the policy allows for the possibility of further guidance through a supplementary planning document (SPD) on delivering social value.

To read the policies in full, please download the chapter extract which is available in the "downloads" section of this project page.

If, once you have read the policies and supporting information, you wish to comment on the proposed policies, then please use the survey below, to do so.