Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what guidance his Department proposes to offer to regional electricity companies to lessen the impact of overhead powerlines; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what recent representations he has received on the impact of both health and visual matters on overhead powerlines, and if he will make a statement;
(3) what (a) code of practice and (b) other criteria have been established concerning the health and visual impact of overhead powerline as a result of planning inquiries; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what is the planning guidance to local planning authorities on planning applications for overhead powerlines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordResponsibility for authorising overhead power lines above 20kv capacity rests with the President of the Board of Trade under the Electricity Act 1989. Guidance on this authorisation procedure, which requires consultations with local planning authorities, is published in Department of the Environment circular 14/90—Department of Energy circular 1/90—"Electricity Generating Stations and Overhead Lines". Proposals which may have a significant impact on the environment must be accompanied by an environmental statement. Each case is considered on its own merits. The President of the Board of Trade is under a duty to take environmental considerations into account in deciding whether to authorise a proposal.
Responsibility for advising on health impacts of power lines rests with the National Radiological Protection Board. I refer to my written answer of 3 November 1994, Official Report, column 1265.