§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to declare a moratorium on further planning applications for new telecommunications masts pending the outcome of the announced review of planning policy; and when he expects to complete this review. [125889]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 13 June 2000]The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, set up at the instigation of the Government and chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS FRSE, has considered the possible health effects of the use of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters. The Group published its report on 11 May.
The Group concluded that
the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines. However, there can be indirect adverse effects on their well-being in some cases.The Group recommended that for all base stations, including those with masts under 15m, permitted development rights for their erection be revoked and that the siting of all new base stations should be subject to the normal planning process.
In its response to the report, also issued on 11 May and placed in the Libraries of both Houses, the Government said that they were minded to introduce a requirement for an application for full planning permission for all new telecommunications masts, but would need to consult 639W widely before doing so, including on the principle and precise scope of any new arrangements. We aim to issue a consultation document in the summer, with a view to being able to introduce revised procedures and guidance by the end of the year.
The Group does not recommend a moratorium on further planning applications for new telecommunications masts pending the outcome of our review, or at all, and the Government have no plans to introduce such a moratorium.