§ Mr. PurchaseTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that applications for the siting of telecommunications 107W systems on public and private property are determined by relevant local authority planning committees with a right to refuse permission.
§ Mr. BaldryLike other types of development, the installation of telecommunications equipment is subject to planning control. The degree of control depends on the scale of the development. Accordingly, major telecommunications developments require a full planning application and are subject to normal planning control. Other telecommunications developments benefit from a general permission granted by the Secretary of State under the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988, as amended, provided that they are carried out in accordance with conditions set out in that order. Local planning authorities may require a planning application to be made in respect of development that would otherwise be permitted, by serving a direction under article 4 of that order; they may be a resulting compensation liability.
We published policy guidance on telecommunications development and an explanation of the operation of permitted development rights for telecommunications equipment, in planning policy guidance note 8, "Telecommunications". That note was published to coincide with the implementation of improved controls from 4 January this year, and following public consultation. We have no plans for any further review.