Planning Inquiry
On 20th July 2004 APMobile published the
Planning Report,
which was the result of an Inquiry into the siting and location of mobile phone
masts. Click here to read the press release.
The installation of mobile phone
masts is a hugely emotive and controversial issue for many people, and the
Report contains 19 key recommendations aimed at improving the level of
consultation in the planning process, to ensure that communities feel their
voice is being heard, whilst at the same time recognising the benefits that
mobile communications bring.
Following publication of the Report,
Government initially responded on 23rd July 2004 with the following statement.
Once Parliament returned from
summer recess, APMobile's Secretary - Paul Truswell MP - secured an
adjournment debate on 18th October 2004 to continue to put pressure on Government to implement the
recommendations made in the Report.
On 24th November 2004, APMobile
Chairman Phil Willis MP tabled Early Day Motion 168 in the House of Commons,
calling on the Government to implement the recommendations. View the EDM
and the current number of signatures here.
On 9th December 2004, the Planning
Minister, Keith Hill MP made a statement to the House of Commons on planning
for telecommunications developments, in which he recognised the work done by
APMobile through the Planning Report. click here
to read the ODPM Press Release and Statement.
On 12th January 2005, Andrew
Stunell MP's Private Members Bill, entitled Telecommunication Masts
(Planning Control) had its formal first reading in the House of
Commons. The Bill seeks to implement the recommendations made in the
Planning Report. The passage of Private Members Bills is a very
complicated process. To read about how this works and to view the Bill's
progress click here
. To view the Bill itself click here.
On 18th March 2005, the Bill began
its second reading in the House. However, due to the previous Private
Members Bill being debated - controversially - for hour and a half
hours, only 20 minutes remained for the Bill to be discussed. Although
the debate was adjourned and re-scheduled for 22nd April, this will not take
place due to the impending General Election. Phil Willis MP, Chair of
the Group, promised to continue the progress made at the earliest opportunity:
“I
am determined that this piece of legislation is forced on to the statute book
and after the election I will campaign relentlessly for just that.”
To view the transcript of Hansard
for the Bill's short second reading, click here.
Evidence from the Inquiry
Oral transcript from the 12th May 2004:
Click here to view.
Oral transcript from the 11th May 2004:
Click here to view .
Written evidence made available to the public:
Click here for information
.
If you require any further information please contact
admin@apmobile.org.uk
