Agenda item

The Chairman invited James Rodger and Gareth Gwynne to present the scoping report on “The Review of Mobile Technology and Telecommunications Equipment in Hillingdon Borough: the Effect on Residents and beyond.”

The Chairman suggested that an appendix be included in the review final report highlight the key health aspects arising from phone masts to ensure the Committee had recognised this issue but could not review it as it was out of their remit. The Committee decided there are two elements that should be concentrated on: planning and design.

Officers informed that Committee that in 2007 new Council procedures were introduced regarding telephone masts, but Hillingdon had not yet implemented these. The Chairman suggested that the Committee investigate the issue of phone masts in Hillingdon and beyond. This would enable the Committee to look at formulating a new national guidance and circulating this document to Local Authorities nationwide. Responses to the guidance would be collated and submitted to the Royal Town Planning institute for their consideration, and following their response the guidance could be presented to Government.

Members asked whether the guidance would be applicable in Europe. Officers said this was a possibility and would be investigated throughout the review.

Mr Rodger said although mobile phone and wireless technology was constantly changing the telecommunications equipment was yet to be changed. The Government’s Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (PPG8) had also not been revised. Planning Officers referred to the PPG8 when considering planning applications. The Committee asked Mr Rodger if it was possible for him to work with the Committee to redraft the PPG8 and submit this to Government. Mr Rodger said this was definitely a possibility and could be undertaken during the Committee’s review.

Members queried whether the review should cover the health issues posed by phone masts. Officer said appeals regarding phone masts were rarely overturned on health. However, it would be beneficial to monitor the radiation exposure from phone mats. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) would be able to provide further information in relation to safe exposure to electronic magnetic fields. The Committee requested a briefing note on ICNIRP.

The Chairman drew Members attention to the design of phone masts. Members said they would like to consider the design of phone masts as part of their review and research other design possibilities by working with telecommunications operators and engineers in this field.

The Committee asked Officers whether it would be useful to investigate further mast sharing. Mr Rodger said the Council could already refuse an application on the grounds of mast sharing, but many operators were already sharing masts.

The Committee requested scientific guidance from appropriate witnesses to ensure they were able to understand the technological side of the review and find out the future plans for mobile technology. The Committee also asked Officers to circulate the number of applications received by the Council since 2007. Mr Rodger said Heads of Planning departments meet at an annual rollout meeting every January when mobile operators inform them of their plans for the year.

The Committee said one aim of the review would be to investigate the monetary value of the telecommunications masts market. Officers informed the Committee that roadside cabinets situated near the phone mast were valued at £50,000 each. Members agreed that they the review should cover the costs and profits of erecting phone masts.

Resolved:

1. the Committee agreed the scoping report for the major review
2. Members asked Officers to draft a questionnaire which could be circulated to local authorities and mobile phone associations nationwide as part of the review consultation
3. Officers would circulate the current PPG8
4. Officers would provide Members with a briefing note on ICNIRP
5. Officers would provide Members with the number of applications received by the Council since 2007
6. Officers would begin to redraft the PPG8 which would be completed in February 2012.