Should statement by Prime Minister be allowed to influence Grimsby planning application?

                                                                

The green and leafy site proposed for the installation

A STATEMENT by the Prime Minister is being used to support a planning application for a new  telecomunications mast and base station to be installed in Grimsby.

Though their agents, Perry Williams Ltd, Berkshire-based Cornerstone is seeking consent for the development on a grass verge adjacent to Grimsby Golf Club off Cromwell Road in the town.

If permission is granted, it would consist of a 20-metre monopole supporting six antennae, plus three equipment cabinets and ancillaries. 

Says the application: "The project will deliver public benefit in terms of the mobile services to be provided. 

"Furthermore, we  would like to offer to arrange a presentation or meeting with your officers and members to discuss the issues if appropriate. 

"We are committed to maintaining a positive relationship with all local planning authorities and we would be happy to provide any reasonable additional information in relation to this application." 

Unusually, the application is supported not just by a letter from technology minister Chris Bryant but also by a statement to The Times newspaper in December last year by Sir  Keir Starmer (see below). 

                                           

Location of proposed installation

  

 

The Grimsby News says: It sets an unwelcome precedent for statements by national politicians to be deployed for the purpose of influencing local planning decisions. It is unlikely that either the PM or the technology minister know anything about this proposal or about any local circumstances which might give cause for valid objections. What next? Will statements by Sir Keir or energy secretary Ed Milliband be used to support applications for huge solar panel schemes or onshore windfarms on agricultural land in our area? North East Lincolnshire Council should not have accepted the ministerial statements as valid submissions, and, without more ado, they should be withdrawn from the planning documents on the authority's website.