§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to require the obtaining of planning permission for the erection of all telephone and radio masts. [14012]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for certain telecommunications masts providing
the mast is erected by a telecommunications code system operator licensed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984;the mast does not exceed 15m in height;the mast is not erected in a National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty, conservation area, or the Broads; andthe mast is not refused prior approval by the local planning authority within the period allowed under the Order. The authority must be given the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of the mast's siting and appearance. The authority may refuse approval if they consider there to be a serious threat to amenity.A full application for planning permission is normally required for any mast which does not meet these criteria. There are no current plans to amend the regulations in this respect.
§ Mrs. Ann CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans she has to change the current guidance, in Policy Planning Guidance and the Town and Country Planning Acts, in respect of their presumption in favour of development. [14358]
§ Mr. RaynsfordSection 54A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires a planning application to be determined in accordance with the adopted development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. As explained in PPG1, this establishes a presumption in favour of proposals that conform to the prevailing development plan, rather than a general presumption in favour of development. The Government have no plans to change this "plan-led" system. Any changes to Planning Policy Guidance or Minerals Planning Guidance will be announced in the normal way.
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§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to include crime statistics as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications relating to change of use. [14176]
§ Mr. RaynsfordDoE Circular 5/94, "Planning Out Crime", advises that crime prevention is capable of being a material consideration when planning applications are considered. As with other material considerations, the weight that is given to it will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. Crime statistics may be useful in making this assessment.
§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to amend the Planning Regulations so that public houses and hot food takeaway premises do not fall within the same use class; and if he will make a statement. [14014]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Use Classes Order 1987 groups together various types of land use because, in planning terms, they have a similar impact on a neighbourhood. As public houses and hot food takeaway premises tend to raise the same land use issues, they are both included within Use Class A3, the Food and Drink Class. There are no plans to amend this class, although we keep the arrangements under review.
§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to remove permitted development rights and same category use rights from the privatised utilities and public bodies for buildings or land which formerly had the benefit of Crown immunity, but have subsequently ceased to be used in full or part for the original purpose, and to require the submission of planning applications for any changes of use which have been implemented or planned since privatisation. [14032]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe have no plans to remove permitted development rights or same Use Class rights from privatised utilities or public bodies. Last year my Department commissioned research to establish the extent to which statutory undertakers rely on permitted development rights and to consider whether any changes are needed. The research project is now complete and we are considering the findings.