HC Deb 17 December 2001 vol 377 cc14-5W
Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 December 2000,Official Report, column 580W, in what way he has significantly strengthened the planning arrangements for telecommunications development in respect of the siting of mobile phone masts in PPG8. [22768]

Ms Keeble

On 22 August this year we introduced changes that significantly improved the planning procedures and guidance for telecommunications mast development. The changes, which included amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995: strengthened public consultation requirements on mast proposals of 15 metres and below so that they are the same as for planning applications; increased the time for a local planning authority to deal with prior approval applications to 56 days; underlined that school governors must be consulted on all proposals for new masts on or near a school or college; and increased fees to enable authorities to carry out full public consultation.