HC Deb 20 October 2003 vol 411 cc409-10W
Bob Russell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many planning appeals by mobile telephone companies against the refusal of local authorities for telephone masts have been made in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and of these how many were(a) successful and (b) turned down. [132815]

Keith Hill

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following information relates to appeal decisions about telecommunications development generally.

Received Withdrawn Allowed Dismissed Total decisions
2000–01 135 7 81 39 120
2001–02 284 18 89 69 158
2002–03 232 46 164 123 287
2003–041 116 0 44 26 70
1 Up to 17 October 2003

Note:

All figures relate to the year in which the appeal was received, not necessarily the year it was decided.

Bob Russell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will advise the Planning Inspectorate to give greater weight to the views of local authorities when determining planning appeals made by mobile telephone companies against the refusal of applications for telephone masts. [132817]

Keith Hill

Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 Telecommunications (PPG8) already advises that all relevant matters will be considered as appropriate at all stages of the planning process.

Bob Russell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance has been given to the Planning Inspectorate to take into account health concerns as a reason for local authorities to refuse planning applications by mobile telephone companies for the erection of telephone masts; and if he will make a statement. [132818]

Keith Hill

The Courts have held that the Government's statements of planning policy are material considerations which must be taken into account, where relevant, in decisions on planning applications. These statements cannot make irrelevant any matter which is a material consideration in a particular case. Where such statements indicate the weight that should be given to relevant considerations, decision-makers must have proper regard to them.

The guidance in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 Telecommunications (PPG 8) says that health considerations and public concern can in principle be material considerations in determining applications for planning permission for telecommunications developments. Whether such matters are material in a particular case is ultimately a matter for the courts. In the first instance, it is for the decision-maker to determine what issues are material in any particular case and what weight to attach to them.

Nevertheless, PPG8 states clearly that, in the Government's view, if a proposed mobile phone base station meets the international guidelines for public exposure (ICNIRP guidelines) it should not be necessary to give further consideration to the health aspects and any concerns about them, in processing an application for planning permission.