§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what powers telecommunication companies and freeholders of a property can obtain planning permission for mobile phone masts under 15m high without consulting leaseholders and tenants; and if he will make a statement. [147537]
§ Mr. RaynsfordLicensed telecommunications code system operators are authorised under Part 24 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) (as amended) to install specified telecommunications apparatus without the need to make a planning application to the local authority.
Under the GPDO certain types of development, such as the installation of ground-based masts of up to 15m in height, are 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. Following amendments to the GPDO in 1999, local planning authorities have 42 days to carry out this process in respect of ground-based masts and the operator is required to erect a site notice to publicise the development proposed so that local people can let the local planning authority have their views on a mast proposal. The local planning authority can supplement this requirement by publishing proposals themselves.
For development such as the installation of masts on a building or structure the equivalent period is 28 days. While there is no statutory requirement for local planning authorities or operators to consult on the proposals, DETR Circular 4–99 advises local planning authorities to publicise proposals for permitted telecommunications development that are subject to this procedure so that people likely to be affected by the proposal can make their views known to the authority.
Under the prior approval procedure, if, after due consideration, the authority considers that the development will pose a serious threat to amenity, it is able to refuse approval.
Following the publication of a report into the health effects of mobile phone technologies by the Independent Expert Group of Mobile Phones (IEGMP), chaired by Sir William Stewart, the Government issued a consultation paper seeking views on changes to the planning arrangements to allow better opportunities for public consultation on applications for new telecommunications masts.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the new Policy Planning Guidance on Telecommunication Masts will be published. [147536]
§ Mr. RaynsfordA consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to the planning laws relating to telecommunications masts ended on 31 October 2000. The consultation paper also contained draft revised planning policy guidance. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We shall announce any changes as soon as practicable.