§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the General Permitted Development Order made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1995. [126284]
§ Ms Beverley HughesIn February, my Department launched a research project which includes a review of the changes of use granted permission by the General Permitted Development Order 1995. In May, we announced in response to the report by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones that the Government was 245W minded to introduce a requirement for an application for full planning permission for all new telecommunications masts. However, we would need to consult widely on the principle and precise scope of any new arrangements, including the extent to which the existing permitted development rights in the Order might need to be amended. My Department also issued jointly with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 19 June a consultation paper which proposes that a planning application should in future be made for certain works within conservation areas that currently benefit from permitted development rights. Implementation of the proposal would require amendment of the Order.