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17 Oct 2005 : Column 824W—continued
Telecommunication Masts
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what planning controls apply to (a) Network Rail telecommunication masts and (b) standard mobile phone masts. [17398]
Yvette Cooper: Class A of Part 17 of the GPDO, permits development by a railway undertaker on its operational land required in connection with the movement of traffic by rail, this permission includes telecommunication masts but only for the communications system for railways (GSM-R).
Mobile phone masts are subject to the normal planning regulations in place throughout England, unless exempted by the regulations set out in Part 24 of
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the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) as amended by SI2115/2003).
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many mobile phone masts were registered for business rates in England in each year since 1997. [17401]
Mr. Woolas: The number of non-domestic hereditaments shown in the Rating List, for England, under the description of Communication Stations, are as provided in the table. The Valuation Office Agency does not hold statistics, of this nature, earlier than 1998.
| Statistics as at: | Number |
|---|---|
| 1 April 1998 | 3,549 |
| 1 April 1999 | 8,322 |
| 31 July 2000 | 11,560 |
| 31 March 2001 | 12,265 |
| 31 March 2002 | 12,709 |
| 31 March 2003 | 17,233 |
| 31 March 2004 | 19,354 |
| 31 March 2005 | 20,930 |
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received about the proliferation of telecommunication mast applications in residential areas; and if he will make a statement. [17839]
Yvette Cooper:
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister receives many representations on matters relating to the telecommunications industry. The
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information about such representations is not readily available in the breakdown requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Thames Gateway
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made of flood risks to Thames Gateway developments arising from the Communities Plan. [17225]
Yvette Cooper: Growth in the Thames Gateway will be largely concentrated on previously developed land in existing urban areas which is already protected by a very high standard of existing defence. Development will be in line with Planning Policy Guidance Note 25, which applies a sequential risk-based approach to prevent inappropriate development in flood risk areas. In order to enable local planning authorities to apply planning policy effectively, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is funding Strategic Flood Risk Assessments across the Thames Gateway to assess flood risk and inform planning decisions.
WiMax Transmitters
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what planning controls apply to WiMax transmitters. [17399]
Yvette Cooper: WiMAX transmitters 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) as amended by SI 2115/2003).