§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she will take in relation to the planned erection of masts in areas of outstanding natural beauty by each of the emergency services. [68120]
§ Alun MichaelThe Airwave service which is currently being rolled out for the Police is being provided by the operator mmO2. Other emergency services are also being invited to join the network. The network has no special planning status and mm02 will need to seek planning permission for the base stations and associated masts in the normal way.
Although my Department does not have a role in the planning process for the masts, my officials have held a meeting with officials From the Home Office and the Department for Trade and Industry to discuss co-ordination of masts policy. They plan to hold a further meeting with officials from the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the need for sensitive sighting of masts in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural beauty.