§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he had made of the advantages and disadvantages of Railtrack retaining its exemption from planning controls with particular reference to radio aerial masts. [12531]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMy Department is aware of concerns which have been expressed about the use of permitted development rights by statutory undertakers such as Railtrack. Last year we commissioned research to establish the extent to which statutory undertakers rely on permitted development rights and to consider whether any changes are needed. The research project is now complete and we are considering the findings.