§ 26. Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations were held with(a) local authorities and (b) the cable telecommunications industry prior to the laying before Parliament of the Telecommunications (Licence Modifications) (Cable-Local Delivery Operators Licences) Regulations 1999 in relation to the effects of the regulations on local authorities plans to control the height and width of roadside cable telecommunications cabinets; and if he will make a statement. [105775]
§ Ms HewittTelecommunication operators, the Local Government Association and other interested bodies were first consulted on the changes planned to telecommunication licences in November 1997. These changes came into force on 27 September 1999. There were no specific consultations on the maximum size of street cabinets as the proposed measurements had at the date of consultation already become the standard for new licences.
Furthermore, the licences do not alter the limitations of what operators may do within the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Cabinets which are larger than that permitted under that Order require planning permission.