§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regulations govern the installation of mobile phone transmission equipment on telephone masts. [138716]
§ Ms HewittOperators who have been assigned the Telecommunications Code, set out in Schedule 2 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, have permitted development rights under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Under its permitted development rights an operator can install mobile phone transmission equipment on a mast of 15 metres or less in height without the need for a planning application. However, developments undertaken in this way are subject to a prior approval procedure. Under this procedure a planning authority has 42 days in which to comment on the siting and appearance of a mast and can196W refuse approval where it believes the development would pose a serious threat to amenity. Conversely, the installation of masts above 15 metres in height requires a planning application, as does the installation of any masts in a designated area such as a National Park or an area of outstanding natural beauty.