HC Deb 17 November 1997 vol 301 cc2-3W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce procedures to enable local planning authorities to extend the 28 day limit in their determination of prior approval for telecommunications developments; and if he will make a statement. [15662]

Mr. Raynsford

An application for prior approval determination in respect of telecommunications development provides the local planning authority with the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of its proposed siting and appearance. Currently we have no plans to extend the 28-day period allowed.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the 28 day prior notification limit for telecommunications developments on(a) consultation with parish or town councils and councillors, (b) the opportunities for comment from local residents and (c) the opportunities to negotiate and amend proposed schemes; and if he will make a statement. [15663]

Mr. Raynsford

Where an application for prior approval determination is to be made, Appendix E to the Department' s Circular 9/95 emphasises the importance of discussions between the operator and the local planning authority to minimise any difficulties about the proposal and avoid delay in processing the application. It also encourages publicity for such proposals so that people likely to be affected can make their views known to the local planning authority. It is important that authorities make satisfactory arrangements to enable them to deal with these applications. The Department's Code of Best Practice on telecommunications prior approval procedures as applied to mast/tower development provides guidance on how local planning authorities and operators can co-operate to make it easier for prior approval applications to be dealt with effectively within the 28 day period allowed.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce national guidance in respect of(a) the circumstances in which the public health impact of telecommunications developments should be a planning consideration and (b) the weight which should be given to public health issues by local planning authorities; and if he will make a statement. [15665]

Mr. Raynsford

Planning Policy Guidance note 1 advises local planning authorities that any consideration which relates to the use and development of land is, in principle, capable of being a planning consideration. The issue of whether, in any individual case, a particular matter is a material consideration will depend on the prevailing facts and circumstances. It is for the body determining the application (usually the local planning authority) to decide which are the material considerations applicable in the first instance. This is the planning position. Any organisation engaged in telecommunications development should comply with Health and Safety legislation.