§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what legislation regulates the siting of television and mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement. [84871]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) grants a general planning permission for telecommunications masts, including those used for television broadcasting and those for mobile communications, 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 15 metres in height;
the mast is not erected in a National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty, conservation area, or the Broads; and
the 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
421Wapprove, 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.
My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning indicated in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, East and Mexborough (Mr. Ennis), on 16 November 1998, Official Report, columns 343–44, our intention to make a number of changes to the GPDO in respect of telecommunications development. We anticipate that these changes will be made shortly. A full application for planning permission is normally required for any mast which does not enjoy the general planning permission granted under permitted development rights.