§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to making the installation and removal of public call boxes subject to planning permission.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordIt would not be appropriate to require planning permission to be obtained simply for the removal of a public call box; that is more properly a matter for commercial judgment. Telecommunications code system operators are granted a general planning permission to install, alter or replace public call boxes through the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988. However, before carrying out such works they must give the local planning authority the opportunity to say whether it wishes to approve details of siting and appearance. If the authority is not satisfied and there is a serious threat to amenity, it can refuse such approval.