This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Planning for the digital age
08/04/2004
Proposals that could make life simpler and cheaper for
the thousands of Scots who wish to use satellite and
broadband technology were announced today.
Deputy Communities Minister Mary Mulligan launched a
consultation to consider deregulation of the planning
controls for satellite dishes, which could allow households
to install dishes without planning permission.
Houses in the 21st century may need more than one
satellite dish or antenna for different purposes - such as
digital TV and broadband. Currently, if people need more
than one dish, they must apply for separate planning
permission, which costs £110.
Mary Mulligan said: "The digital age is here, and we
need to look at modernising and improving the planning
system to take account of how new technologies are
used.
"Many people already have digital technology in their
homes, through various methods - cable, aerial or
satellite. Relaxing planning controls could allow people to
easily take advantage of these without worrying about
gaining permission.
"People in remote and rural communities who wish
broadband, for example, can now gain access via satellite.
Deregulation could help save them time and money.
"Also, more than 50£ of households have already switched
to digital television. The UK government is working towards
switching off the analogue signal by 2010. If that target
is to be met, the planning system has an important part to
play.
"In any revision of the planning regulations, we will
continue to maintain the necessary balance between the
freedom to develop and safeguarding the visual impact on
communities. We must ensure, however, that the planning
system can accommodate the digital age."
The
consultation presents options for change for four
separate categories: households in designated areas,
households not in designated areas, other buildings in
designated areas and other buildings. (Designated areas
include conservation areas and National Scenic Areas for
example) It also seeks views on size and siting
restrictions, such as maximum height and width of a dish
and where it can be placed on a building
The provisions for satellite dishes and antennas were
introduced in the Town and Country Planning (General
Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992.
The remit of the
consultation paper is limited to planning arrangements
for satellite dishes and other antennas. It is not a
document which aims to address the wider issues regarding
switchover to digital TV or the rollout of broadband.
TV aerials are not included, as in law they have
generally considered as de minimus. This is a legal
principle which means that something is of so little
consequence that it may be overlooked.
The Digital Television Action Plan was created by the
government in partnership with the industry. Details of the
Action Plan can be viewed at
www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk