§ Ms McCaffertyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on planning applications for mobile communication masts. [31887]
§ Mr. RaynsfordPlanning policy on telecommunications is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (revised) (PPG8), 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 on 4 November 1997. Where telecommunications development is subject to an application for planning permission, this will be decided by the local planning authority (or the Secretary of State on appeal) in the light of development plan policies and any other 435W material considerations. These would include PPG8 and the guidance provided in other material PPGs, as well as any relevant representations either for or against the proposal.