[UPDATE: For the subsequent government response to this consultation, please view this post.]

The government has published the following consultation, which runs for 8 weeks from 20/04/2021 until 14/06/2021:

• April 2021: Changes to permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure - technical consultation (pdf print version of HTML webpage) (link).

Notes:

• The "Scope of the consultation" at the start of the above consultation document includes the following information:
  - "Topic of this consultation: This consultation seeks views on proposed changes to permitted development rights for the installation, alteration and replacement of electronic communications infrastructure. This consultation looks at how to implement the proposals consulted on in August 2019 to support the deployment of 5G and extend mobile coverage.".
  - "Permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure are set out in Part 16 of Schedule 2 to the General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended). The proposed changes are:
  >>> To enable deployment of radio equipment housing by permitting small equipment cabinets on Article 2(3) land such as National Parks, Conservation Areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), and allowing greater flexibility for installing equipment cabinets in existing compounds;
  >>> To enable the strengthening of existing [ground-based] masts by permitting limited increases in the width of existing ground-based masts without the need for prior approval, and greater increases subject to prior approval, on all land. Also allowing for limited increases to the height of existing ground-based masts without the need for prior approval outside of Article 2(3) land, with greater increases on all land, up to specified limits, subject to prior approval;
  >>> To enable the deployment of building-based masts by permitting these in closer proximity to a highway subject to prior approval outside of Article 2(3) land. Also, whether to permit smaller masts to be installed without the need for prior approval outside of Article 2(3) land; and
  >>> To enable the deployment of new ground-based masts by permitting taller new masts, up to specified limits, on all land subject to prior approval, with greater permitted heights on land outside of Article 2(3) land. Also, whether to permit monopole masts of up to 15 metres to be deployed without the need for prior approval on land outside of Article 2(3) land.
  - None of the proposals above would apply on land on or within sites of special scientific interest.
  - Changes to the safeguarding procedure and technical changes to the definition of ‘small cell system’ are also proposed.".
• Note: For more information about the proposed changes, please view the summary box after paragraph 18 within the above consultation document.

Other sources of information:

• August 2019: Proposed reforms to permitted development rights to support the deployment of 5G and extend mobile coverage - Consultation (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
• July 2020: Government response to the consultation on proposed reforms to permitted development rights to support the deployment of 5G and extend mobile coverage (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.