§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many telecommunications masts are located within 500 metres of(a) a school and (b) a hospital. [46673]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThis information is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce planning restrictions prohibiting the siting of telecommunications masts less than 500 metres from (i) schools, (ii) hospitals and (iii) any residence. [46711]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe have no plans to introduce such restrictions. Local planning authorities already have the opportunity to exercise control over the siting of individual mast developments, whether that be through the consideration of a full planning application or the determination of a "prior approval" application under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.
§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to update PPG 8 to bring it into line with Article 130r of the Maastricht Treaty; [46655]
(2) what proposals he has to issue regular guidance to local authorities on the planning implications of electromagnetic fields from telecommunications masts. [46657]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe potential impact on the environment of telecommunications development is a key factor in forming Government policy on telecommunications planning. This is set out in my Department's Planning Policy Guidance note 8, supplemented by Appendix E to Circular 9/95 and by the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning to my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, West and Hessle (Mr. Johnson) on 4 November 1997,Official Report, column 152. The general policy is to facilitate the growth of such systems while protecting the environment.
We are currently drawing up a joint circular with the Department of Health to address the issue of development in proximity to sources of electromagnetic fields. This includes guidance in respect of telecommunications base stations, and will in that respect be supplementary to PPG8. I anticipate that the proposed joint circular will be issued in draft form for public consultation later this year.
§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with the relevant authorities in (i) Australia, (ii) New Zealand, (iii) Denmark and (iv) Sweden concerning the siting of telecommunications masts. [46656]
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§ Mr. RaynsfordThis Department has not engaged in any direct discussions with the relevant authorities in (i) Australia (ii) New Zealand (iii) Denmark and (iv) Sweden about the siting of telecommunications masts. My officials continue to liaise with other Government Departments in monitoring practice internationally in order to assist the development of policy in this country.