§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce further guidelines governing the siting of telecommunication masts. [12999]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordLast year, we published a code of practice on planning procedures for the erection of telecommunication masts under permitted development rights. The Government are working with the local authority associations and telecommunications code system operators who erect masts to monitor the effectiveness of the code and review its implementation.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received regarding the siting of telecommunication masts in unsuitable locations in the last year. [12998]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordIn the past years, 165 representations and a standard petition letter from 57 signatories were received from people concerned about the siting of telecommunication masts.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue guidance to reduce the intrusion of telecommunication masts into the natural environment. [12943]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordGuidance to reduce the intrusion of telecommunications masts into the natural environment has already been issued. Planning policy guidance note 8 sets out planning policy for telecommunications development including masts. We have also published a code of practice, prepared jointly with the local authority associations and representatives of the telecommunications industry, on planning procedures for the erection of masts under permitted development rights.