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The Government encourages Local Planning Authorities to publish a register of existing telecommunications installations within their area so that both the public and the operators are aware of the current range of sites where equipment has been installed. This helps to ensure that as much information as possible is readily available within the public domain and is able to be used by the operators to explore site sharing opportunities. The five operators existing operational and approved sites can be viewed using the following links:-
Site status definitions used in the above tables:
Proposed: A planned site that has not receive planning approval.
Planning Permission Granted: A planned site that has received planning approval.
Site Built: Construction is complete and the site may not be taking call traffic.
The Office of Communications (Ofcom) also provide a national database of mobile phone base stations, which can be viewed by using the following link: Ofcom Sitefinder.
Planning policy background
The key national and local policies which relate to Telecommunications Development are found in PPG8 “Telecommunications” and in the Warwick District Local Plan 1996 – 2011 where policy SC9 relates to telecommunications. This states:-
Development of new masts and antennae by telecommunications and code systems operators will be permitted provided:-
a) it has been demonstrated that mast or site sharing is not feasible and that the apparatus cannot be sited on an existing building or other appropriate structure where this represents the preferable environmental solution;
b) it has been demonstrated that alternative, less environmentally harmful means of providing the same service is not feasible;
c) every effort has been made to minimise the visual impact of the proposal;
d) proposals adhere to current Government advice on the health effects of exposure to radio waves; and
e) consideration has been given to the future demands of network development, including that of other operators.
PPG8: “Telecommunications” (Adopted August 2001) provides the national planning guidance governing all decisions made by Local Planning Authorities in relation to telecommunications development. It is available to view on the DCLG website: Planning Policy Guidance 8: Telecommunications.
There is also a code of best practice covering the way in which telecommunication issues should best be dealt with by operators and Local Planning Authorities and how their interaction should take place. This is also available to view from the DCLG website: Mobile Phone Network Development: Code of Best Practice.
Health Considerations
PPG8 contains specific advice on health considerations as set below:-
- Health considerations and public concern can in principle be material considerations in determining applications for planning permission and prior approval. Whether such matters are material in a particular case is ultimately a matter for the courts. It is for the decision-maker (usually the local planning authority) to determine what weight to attach to such considerations in any particular case.
- However, it is the Government's firm view that the planning system is not the place for determining health safeguards. It remains central Government's responsibility to decide what measures are necessary to protect public health. In the Governments view, if a proposed mobile phone base station meets the ICNIRP guidelines for public exposure it should not be necessary for a local planning authority, in processing an application for planning permission or prior approval, to consider further the health aspects and concerns about them.
- The Government's acceptance of the precautionary approach recommended by the Stewart Groups report "mobile phones and health" is limited to the specific recommendations in the Group's report and the Government's response to them. The report does not provide any basis for precautionary actions beyond those already proposed. In the Government's view, local planning authorities should not implement their own precautionary policies e.g. by way of imposing a ban or moratorium on new telecommunications development or insisting on minimum distances between new telecommunications development and existing development.
Further advice on mobile telecommunications and health can be found on the Department of Health website.
Rollout plans
Every autumn, the five commercial mobile telephone operators provide the Local Planning Authority (LPA) with information to show the areas within the District where they have a need to site further telecommunications equipment within the coming year.
This information is made available in order that communities and their elected members can be involved with discussions regarding siting and design of equipment with operators prior to the submission of applications to the LPA.
It should be noted that the information provided by the operators indicate areas of search for new sites, and not specific locations, and thus offer the opportunity for influencing the precise siting of equipment at an early stage in the site identification process. Currently, this information is available as a spreadsheet of each operators list of sites. The proposals for 2007/2008 can be accessed using the following links:
Hutchinson 3G (3) is not undertaking a significant rollout of new sites over 2007/2008, therefore it is likely there will be no new sites within Warwick District from this operator.
It is stressed that the grid references given in the spreadsheet are the centre points of proposed areas of search and not precise sites subject of specific applications to the LPA at this stage.
For further details regarding each search area, the operators concerned should be contacted directly, and their details are provided below:
3
Verity Blake, Community Affairs Manager.
Phone: 0845 604 3000 Email: verity.blake@ericssonservices.co.uk Website: Three website
O2
Angela Johnson, Community Affairs Manager.
Phone: 01753 564 306 Email: angela.johnson@O2.com Website: www.o2.com
Orange
Sue Hammett, Council and Community Relations Officer.
Phone: 0870 376 8888 Email: sue.hammett@orange-ftgroup.com Website: www.orange.co.uk
Vodafone
Richard Knowles, Planning and Environmental Adviser.
Phone: 08454 450 450 Email: richard.knowles@vodafone.com Website: Vodaphone website
T-Mobile
John Shaughnessy, Community Affairs Manager.
Phone: 0870 321 6047 Email: john.shaughnessy@t-mobile.co.uk Website: www.t-mobile.co.uk
Types of applications
In relation to telecommunications installations, there are three types of application/notification.
Licence notifications
These are for minor telecommunications developments including the adding of antennae to existing rooftop installations or changing equipment on existing sites. For these licence notifications, the operators do have to give the LPA 28 days notice of their intention to install such equipment, and allow comment. However, the Authority has no control over this type of development and the short time scales do not allow for public involvement.
Applications for notification of prior approval
These notifications have to be determined within 56 days of receipt. If the LPA does not respond within this time period, the operator has the right to install the apparatus. When dealing with these notifications, the LPA can consider the siting and appearance of the installation but not the principle of the development or any other related issues as this has already been agreed by national legislation. For these prior approval notifications, the LPA will display a site notice for a period of 21 days and notification with neighbours is carried out. The Ward Councillors for the area are also notified.
These types of development include new rooftop installations and masts under 15 m in height.
Applications for full planning permission
These applications are dealt with in the same way as other planning applications and all material considerations can be considered. These are generally for masts over 15 m in height and larger installations such as large ancillary equipment cabinets. Siting of equipment within Conservation Areas or on Listed Buildings will also require planning permission or Listed Building consent.
Further details of specific current or decided applications can be viewed on this website.
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