§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning guidance he issues regarding(a) increasing the number of and (b) the positioning of electricity, radio and telephone (i) tower construction and (ii) overhead pylons in the open countryside; and if he will make a statement. [17895]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordPlanning advice on telecommunications development is given in planning policy guidance note 8, "Telecommunications", December 1992, which was supplemented in 1994 by a circular letter to local planning authorities on the prior approval procedure for the appearance and siting of radio masts of up to 15m in height. Copies of these documents have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
On electricity pylons, all proposed overhead lines in England and Wales, apart from those to supply individual properties and a few other minor developments, require the consent of the President of the Board of Trade under the Electricity Act 1989. Department of the Environment circular 14/90 explains the procedure which electricity supply companies have to follow before putting up an overhead line.