Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Thursday, 13 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 January 2005. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 January 2005 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to review the advice on the location of mobile phone masts near schools; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to review the advice on the location of mobile phone masts near schools; and if he will make a statement. [209296] Yvette Cooper: Mobile phone mast and base station developments near schools are subject to the normal planning regulations in place throughout England, unless exempted by the regulations set out in Part 24 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO). The planning arrangements for telecommunications developments were significantly strengthened in 2001 and include improved requirements for consulting local people about mast proposals. The changes to the GPDO were underpinned by revised guidance, set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8, Telecommunications. The changes to the planning guidance also underlined that school governors must be consulted on all proposals for new masts on or near a school or college. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently considering the NRPB report on Mobile Phones and Health 2004 and will respond once we have considered them fully.

Secondary information