§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning restrictions there are on the number of telecommunications masts erected in a particular area. [21415]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe erection of masts by telecommunications code system operators is subject either to full planning control or the prior approval procedure under part 24 of schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, depending on the size and location of the mast. There are no specific limits on numbers.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received from(a) South Somerset council and (b) Ryedale council in Yorkshire about planning applications for telecommunications masts. [21416]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordIn the past two years, the Department has received one representation each from South Somerset district council and Ryedale district council.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of (i) telecommunications masts and (ii) wind farms on the number of visitors to rural areas. [21410]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy Department has not commissioned or evaluated research of this nature.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review the section of planning policy guidance note 8 dealing with the erection of telecommunications masts. [21406]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy Department has no plans for reviewing this guidance. However, we shall shortly be publishing a code of practice on the planning procedures for the erection of masts under permitted development rights. This has been prepared jointly with local authority associations and the major operators who erect masts.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning regulations apply to telecommunications masts which are under 15 ft high. [21413]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordPart 24 of schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted development) Order 1995 gives permitted development rights for telecommunications code system operators' masts up to 15 m high, except in protected areas such as conservation areas, national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty, where full planning control applies. These rights are subject to a prior approval procedure which enables a local planning authority to give or refuse approval for the siting or appearance of a mast within 28 days of receipt of an application from an operator.
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§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statutory protection is provided to areas on the outskirts of areas of outstanding natural beauty from(a) telecommunication masts and (b) telecommunications masts less than 100 ft high. [21417]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe erection of masts by telecommunications code system operators in these adjoining areas is subject to either to full planning control or the prior approval procedure under part 24 of schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, depending on the size and location of the mast. The fact that it is visible from a specially protected area could be a material consideration in a planning decision relating to a mast.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to require companies which erect telecommunications masts to share these masts with other companies. [21405]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy Department already encourages mast sharing in planning policy guidance note 8, "Telecommunications". It is also a condition of the licences granted by the Department of Trade and Industry to mobile operators that the possibility of sharing an existing radio site must be explored.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which satellite technology will supersede telecommunications masts and over what time scale. [21407]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy Department understands that, because radio frequencies are limited, satellite technology is unsuited to telephone systems which handle a great many calls simultaneously.