§ Sir Michael SpicerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will provide further(a)planning guidelines and (b)resources to local planning authorities with respect to applications for G3 technology telecommunications masts. [160249]
§ Keith HillCurrent planning guidance for all electronic communication developments is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 (revised) (PPG8). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also issued a Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to change these arrangements at present.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is, however, making £350 million of additional resources available to planning authorities over three years to drive performance improvement. Authorities are free to spend this money in whatever way they wish.