Consultation Closing March 10
World Council for Health reports that the UK government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation closes on March 10, 2026, with proposed changes that would affect how 5G masts and telecommunications infrastructure are sited.
The consultation, launched December 16, 2025, includes proposed changes to Chapter 9 (Supporting High Quality Communications) that health groups say would weaken public health protections.
Key Concerns
The organization highlights several issues with the proposed draft wording (sections CO1 and CO2):
- Health compliance could be satisfied through self-certification without independent scrutiny
- No defined evidential standards for assessing public health impacts
- Proximity to masts could be treated as "automatically immaterial" at planning stage
- Risks to individuals with metal implants fall outside ICNIRP guidelines scope