Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:33 pm on 29 January 2019.
Thank you for raising this issue. Changes to permitted development rights, as you recognised in your question, certainly does require an evidence-based approach, which is why we published 'Planning for Mobile Telecommunications: An Assessment of Permitted Development Rights In Wales' in January of last year, to inform work on revising permitted development rights for telecommunications. Amendments to permitted development rights on telecommunications are expected to take effect towards the end of spring this year. However, it's important, I think, to recognise that taller masts do not provide a single solution to the issue of improving mobile service and coverage across Wales, because, of course, our topography and our population distribution does make complete mobile coverage very challenging, and I'm sure that we all recognise that on our travels around the country.