HC Deb 30 January 1985 vol 72 cc177-8W
Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning applications have been submitted to local planning authorities relating to cellular radio base stations; how many of these have been approved and refused, respectively; and how many are pending.

Mr. Macfarlane

Local planning authorities' quarterly returns to us on planning applications made to them do not provide information at this level of detail on the nature of the development concerned.

Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to require communications systems companies to obtain planning permission before erecting radio transmission masts with ancillary buildings and fenced compounds.

Mr. Macfarlane

Most such developments aleady require specific planning permission. I have no plans to relax this requirement in the case of ancillary buildings or compounds, but I propose certain relaxations in respect of some types of minor telecommunications apparatus. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Hayward) on 25 October 1984, at columns 689–90, which outlined our intentions in this area.

Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the environmental safeguards relating to the erection of radio transmission masts and ancillary buildings, particularly in green belt areas.

Mr. Macfarlane

Yes. Radio masts installations generally require specific planning permission, and the local planning authority dealing with an application will have regard to the normal considerations, including green belt policies. Our policy for the protection of the green belt was reaffirmed in circular 14/84, and remains unchanged. Under our current proposals to amend the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977, some small masts will not require specific planning applications, but telecommunications operators will be required to abide by conditions in their telecommunications licences designed to safeguard the environment.