§ Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the current legislation relating to telecommunications masts. [99311]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 23 November 1999]: The installation of any telecommunications mast in a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a conservation area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the Broads, or a mast of more than 15 metres in height elsewhere, is subject to a full planning application. In other cases, licensed telecommunications code system operators are authorised under Part 24 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) to install masts of up to 15 metres in height. This is subject to a prior approval procedure, under which the local planning authority has the opportunity to say whether it wishes to approve details of the siting and appearance of the installation.
These GPDO provisions were amended earlier this year by SI 1999 No. 1661. We have no current plans to make further changes to the GPDO in respect of telecommunication masts.
The Government are aware of public concern about mobile phone systems and health and has set up an independent expert group to advise on possible risks to public health. The group, chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS, FRSE, is currently holding open meetings around the UK to take views.