HC Deb 23 October 2001 vol 373 cc138-40
8. Mr. Charles Hendry (Wealden)

What plans he has to restrict the granting of planning permission for mobile phone masts close to schools. [5574]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Ms Sally Keeble)

Mobile phone mast development close to schools is subject to the telecommunications planning arrangements in place throughout England, which were significantly strengthened in August this year. We have no further plans to restrict the granting of planning permission for mobile phone masts close to schools. Under the new rules, before operators submit an application for planning permission or prior approval for a mast near a school or college, they should discuss the proposed development with the relevant body of the school or college.

Mr. Hendry

I am grateful to the Minister for her reply, but does she not understand the continuing dismay in my constituency and across the country at the fact that the Government have not taken account of the genuine concerns of parents, teachers and governors about the siting of masts near schools? Is not the right way to proceed to require that masts near schools, homes and hospitals go through the full planning process, not prior approval? Why will she not adopt the policy followed in Scotland, which requires companies to group together and share masts so that their number can be minimised?

Ms Keeble

The hon. Gentleman makes several good points. Since the new regulations were put in place, there have been representations about mobile phone masts, but they have not been made specifically in relation to schools. In fact, only 2 per cent. of masts are currently sited on schools. We have a two-tier system; one tier is for masts over 15 m, which require the full application; the other is for masts of 4 to 15 m, which require prior approval. Both have the same effect, although the procedures are different. I stress that the Stewart report does not propose that we should abolish permission for any mast to be sited on or near schools.

Mr. George Stevenson (Stoke-on-Trent, South)

Does my hon. Friend recall the 1999 European directive, the so-called RETTE directive, which on health grounds enables member states to establish exclusion zones between mobile phone masts and the public? Will she confirm that the Government have incorporated the directive in United Kingdom law? If so, what guidance have they given planning authorities on establishing exclusion zones?

Ms Keeble

We have taken our approach from the Stewart report, which was published on 11 May 2000. It concluded that the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of the guidelines. The report—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is bad manners, Mr. MacKay, to shout at the Minister—or anyone else, for that matter.

Ms Keeble

The Stewart report, which is based also on international studies, does not propose that we should exclude completely the erection of any mobile phone masts on schools.

Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington)

I hear what the Minister says, but is she aware that I have had meetings recently with residents from Woodmansterne and The Ridgeway and on Kingsley avenue, who have specifically raised concerns about the health implications of masts? Will she reconsider the position to allow health implications to be taken into account when assessing planning applications for telecoms masts?

Ms Keeble

The current regulations were discussed in July and introduced only on 22 August. They have already been exhaustively discussed by members of all parties.

Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Highgate)

Does my hon. Friend agree, however, that until there is categoric scientific evidence to prove that there are no health risks to children, it behoves the industry to alert residents to its proposals to erect such masts, so that areas have a much longer time scale to present their concerns to the local planning authority?

Ms Keeble

I appreciate my hon. Friend's points; she has been very concerned about this issue. There are currently no established health risks from mobile phone masts. Under existing arrangements, those who want to erect such masts must give the local community, through the local authority, notice of their intent to do so. They must also discuss proposals for masts on schools with governing bodies before submitting an application. So there is a good opportunity for local communities to be informed and to represent their views. Following that, the local authority has 56 days in which to take a decision. We have very significantly strengthened safeguards for the local community.