§ Mr. OlnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what the terms of reference are for the review of planning regulations relating to satellite dish installations referred to in the Government's Broadband Strategy; when the review began; and when it will report; [49963]
(2) what assessment has been made of the impact of the inconsistency between planning regulations for satellite dishes and planning regulations for terrestrial television aerials on the availability of digital satellite television and broadband satellite services in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) areas where digital terrestrial television services are unavailable; [49965]
(3) what input the review of planning regulations relating to satellite dish installations will seek from (a) devolved institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and (b) regional development agencies. [49964]
§ Ms KeebleThe Government gave a commitment in the UK Online Annual report 2001 to review the planning regulations for satellite terminals to determine how current rules restricting a residential property to a single antenna could be relaxed, while continuing to minimise the environmental/visual impact of residential satellite terminals. The Digital Television Action Plan endorsed by Government and by the digital television stakeholders also promises a review of the impact of planning regulations on the deployment of aerials and dishes, with an initial report due by June 2002. My officials are currently discussing the issues with those of other Government Departments prior to discussions with relevant external stakeholders and then a wider public consultation on possible changes to the planning regulations that apply to England. Planning arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations but we shall keep them in touch with discussions in England.