HC Deb 03 November 1997 vol 300 cc70-1W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend planning policy guidance in respect of the erection of telecommunication masts. [13211]

Mr. Raynsford

Planning guidance on telecommunications is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (Department of the Environment, December 1992) (PPG8). We have no immediate plans to review the basic approach of the PPG to the erection of telecommunication masts. Work is in hand with representatives of local planning authorities and telecommunications code system operators to review the working of the Code of Best Practice for Telecommunications Prior Approval Procedures as applied to Mast/Tower Development, which was published by my Department last year.