§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to ensure that local planning authorities follow planning guidance in determining applications for consent to build radio transmitters for the Airwave emergency communications network. [154348]
§ Keith HillCurrent planning guidance for all electronic communication developments is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 (revised) (PPG8). It is for the local planning authority to decide whether to allow specific development to proceed. This will be done in the light of relevant planning policy guidance, the local development plan and any representations made to the authority. If anyone has a complaint about how the council has handled a planning matter or if anyone is dissatisfied by the council's response and thinks they have suffered an injustice, it is open to them to ask the Local Government Ombudsman to investigate whether there has been maladministration.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also published the Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development on 11 November 2002. Arrangements to monitor the operation of the Code are being set up.