§ Ms McCaffertyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to control the spread of mobile phone communications masts and to establish how many have been erected(a) with and (b) without planning permission; and if he will halt further developments. [31790]
§ Mr. Raynsford[holding answer 2 March 1998]: This Government's general policy on telecommunications development is to facilitate the growth of telecommunications systems while protecting the environment. We attach considerable importance to minimising the environmental impact of telecommunications mast development. For that reason, we last year announced our expectation that operators would provide evidence to local planning authorities that they have carefully considered the use of existing masts, buildings and other structures before seeking to erect any new mast. Telecommunication operators licensed by the Department of Trade and Industry generally have permitted development rights to erect masts of up to 15 m in height, subject to a prior approval procedure. This gives the local planning authority the opportunity to say whether it wishes to approve, within 28 days, details of the mast's siting and appearance. If the authority considers that the development will pose a serious threat to amenity, it may refuse approval. A planning application is required for the erection of masts in protected areas such as National parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and conservation areas, and for masts above 15 m in height elsewhere. It is open to the local planning authority to take enforcement action against masts which enjoy neither permitted development rights nor planning permission. We have no plans to collect centrally information on the number of masts erected (a) with and (b) without planning permission.
§ Ms McCaffertyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to protect(a) ancient woodland and (b) sensitive wildlife habitats from damage by telephone communications masts. [31791]
§ Mr. Raynsford[holding answer 2 March 1998]: Planning Policy Guidance note 9: Nature Conservation gives guidance on how the Government's policies for the conservation of our natural heritage are to be reflected in land use planning. Local authorities are advised that development plans should include planning policies to be 651W applied to nature conservation sites. Such policies should have regard to the relevant guidance given in PPG9. Key ancient woodland and sensitive wildlife sites in England receive protection from development through designation by English Nature as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Other mechanisms which offer protection to ancient woodlands include the requirement to obtain felling licences and the use of tree preservation orders by local planning authorities.
As I explained in my earlier answer to my hon. Friend today, telecommunications mast development is subject to either a full planning application or a prior approval procedure. Where a mast is proposed in an SSSI that lies within a designated area such as a National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty or conservation area, or where the proposed mast exceeds 15 m in height, a full planning application will be required. The planning authority is required to consult English Nature before granting permission for development in an SSSI. Where a mast is proposed in an SSSI outside such designated areas, the local planning authority is able to give or refuse approval to siting and appearance under the "prior approval procedure". The Code of Best Practice for handling mast/tower proposals under this procedure, published by my Department, highlights the need for early consultation in these cases between the operator, local planning authority and English Nature.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest also derive protection from the requirement for owners and occupiers to notify English Nature of plans to carry out specified operations which it has listed as likely to damage the interest of the site. This could include the erection of telecommunications masts. Notification enables English Nature to consider whether to give consent to the scheme or to invite the owner or occupier to discuss possible modifications.