The Local Government Association (LGA) is warning that a new proposal for relaxing planning rules on mobile phone masts mean that people could be be \u2018left powerless to object\u2019.<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n
The Local Government Association (LGA) writes:
\n<\/u>Mobile phone masts in excess of 50ft in height could appear in rural communities across the country under new government proposals to allow them to be built without the need for planning permission, councils warn today.<\/p>\n
The Government is looking at relaxing planning rules to make it easier for mobile phone operators to install taller phone masts in a bid to plug the reception shortage in \u2018not-spot\u2019 areas where there is no phone signal.\u00a0 The Local Government Association, which represent more than 370 councils, is warning the move could open the door to mobile phone masts cropping up in beauty spots, historic locations and next to schools.\u00a0 People would be left powerless to object and councils would be left unable to intervene.<\/p>\n
It comes as the Government’s three-year Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP) ends this month having so far built just 28 masts \u2013 after previously considering 600 sites.\u00a0 The scheme \u2013 which aimed to install phone masts in some of the most remote locations and communities in the UK \u2013 has only spent \u00a311.55 million of its \u00a3150 million budget since 2012.\u00a0 The Government is now planning to extend permitted development rights to taller mobile phone masts.\u00a0 The LGA is instead urging it to work with councils and communities to identify and address coverage blackspots and should reallocate the underspend of the MIP to new projects related to tackling poor mobile connectivity.<\/p>\n
It said the fact councils approve nine in every 10 planning applications proves the system is not a barrier to development and planning rules do not need to be relaxed in this way.\u00a0 Council leaders say rural areas need to be able to access 21st century technology but that the installation of masts should be a decision for councils to make in consultation with local residents.<\/p>\n
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chairman of the LGA People and Places Board, said:\u00a0 \u2018More than a fifth of the UK’s land mass have no mobile phone connection and councils are committed to boosting mobile phone coverage in rural and more remote communities to ensure they are not left behind.\u00a0 This must never come at the expense of the views of local people and to the detriment of local communities.<\/p>\n
\u2018It would not be right for large phone companies to be able to build phone masts wherever they like. It is alarming that a phone mast more than the height of three double decker buses could be put up outside the front of someone’s home without them having any say in the matter.\u00a0 Relaxing planning rules in this way risks mobile network operators being able to build huge masts in places where local residents and councils will have no say.\u00a0 Building mobile phone masts is not a straightforward process. Planning controls exist to give people the power over developments that impact on their quality of life, and they should be respected.\u00a0 It is vital that councils are able to work with network providers to ensure local areas get the best possible coverage in a way that residents are happy with.\u2019<\/p>\n
View the press release<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Local Government Association (LGA) is warning that a new proposal for relaxing planning rules on mobile phone masts mean that people could be be \u2018left powerless to object\u2019.\u00a0 The Local Government Association (LGA) writes: Mobile phone masts in excess … Continue reading