Issue - meetings

To consider a report from the Director of Environmental Services on current planning controls and public consultation regarding the installation of Mobile Phone Masts.

It was noted that public consultation and planning policies would be the subject of  a further more detailed report. It was noted that planning controls were largely set out in Government Planning Policy note PPG8 of August 2001. and the General Permitted development Order Part 24. Largely they fell into tow categories:- Masts that did need full planning permission – this was where they were more than 15m high above ground level or those in Conservation Areas and Masts which did not need full permission –these were under 15m and outside Conservation Areas. These came under permitted development. They had to go through prior notification procedure wherein a Council could object to design and siting. They had 56 days to object otherwise they would automatically have permitted development. It was suggested that residents were not always consulted in these instances and this process should be examined in more detail. There was possibly scope for refusal in terms of visual amenity and the Council would try to refuse on this basis but it was acknowledged that these cases may go to appeal.

Other issues raised included:-

• Whether there were checks made to ascertain whether any additional works had be carried out to existing masts and consequently whether additional planning permission was required.
• Whether there was any monitoring of TETRA masts.
•  Possibility of an exclusion zone being put around schools and hospitals
• The need to ensure that  details of the meetings of the review Panel were widely circulated to interested parties.
• Liability of landlords where masts were installed on private land

RESOLVED:

1. That the report be noted.
2. That the consultation on the 56 day prior notification procedure be examined as part of the review.  
3. That officers seek clarification as to whether there were any TETRA masts in the Borough and if so what consultation  had been carried out and what approvals had been given.
4. That information be sought from other Borough’s to include whether any supplementary planning policies had been developed, and whether exclusion zones had been introduced
5. That a further report be presented giving a breakdown on a Ward by Ward basis with identified locality of all masts.