§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that third generation mobile telephone base station sites must be a statutory part of new planning guidelines. [28946]
§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 21 January 2002]: On 22 August 2001 we introduced changes that significantly improved the planning procedures and guidance for telecommunications mast development. The changes, which included amendments to Part 24 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO):
strengthened public consultation requirements on mast proposals of 15 m and below so that they are the same as for planning applications;increased the time for a local planning authority to deal with prior approval applications to 56 days;underlined that school governors must be consulted on all proposals for new masts on or near a school or college; andincreased fees to enable authorities to carry out full public consultation.Part 24 of the GPDO does not distinguish between different generations of telecommunications equipment and therefore applies to third generation base stations.
§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish guidelines for 3G mobile telephony companies to share the use of 3G mobile telephony base stations. [28948]
§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 21 January 2002]: The Government's policy is firmly to encourage mast and site sharing where that is the optimum solution in the individual circumstances. Indeed, conditions attached to individual operating licences granted by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry include a requirement to investigate mast sharing before seeking to put up any new mast.
Planning Policy Guidance Note 8, "Telecommunications" (PPG8), makes clear our expectation that developers should provide evidence to local planning authorities that they have carefully considered the use of existing masts, buildings and other structures before seeking to erect any new mast, regardless of size. The authority may be justified in refusing prior approval or planning permissions if it considers the evidence regarding the consideration of such alternative sites is not satisfactory. PPG8 is publicly available and applies to all telecommunications development, including 3G base stations.
§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of new 3G mobile telephony base station sites that will be needed in the United Kingdom. [28947]
§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 21 January 2002]: This is a matter for the individual telecommunications operators. However, the operators are fully aware of the importance we attach to keeping the number of masts to the minimum practicable, for example through mast sharing, and to ensuring that those which are needed are designed and sited with sensitivity and care.