MPs put pressure on Government

Nick Hurd MP Member for Ruislip Northwood.

At the Committee stage of the Housing and Regeneration Bill, Nick Hurd proposed an amendment, to require the new Homes and Communities Agency to consider the health risks arising from power lines when deciding where to place new houses.

We were concerned that cheap land near high voltage power lines might be used for new social and affordable housing, popular with young families. Nick Hurd shared our concerns on this important issue and tabled the amendment.

Alistair Burt MP, Shadow Housing Minister, added the support of the Opposition front bench.

The amendment, considered on 17th January 2008, was intended to go some way towards the introduction of a "moratorium on the building of new homes and schools within at least 60 metres of existing High Voltage Overhead Transmission Lines of 275 kV and 400 kV."

This was a key recommendation of the Cross-Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields (ELF EMF) which reported in July 2007 and on which Nick Hurd served for over a year.

Speaking for the Government, Iain Wright MP, the Parliamentary under Secretary responsible for housing, revealed that the Government is planning to introduce measures on this important subject this year, saying that he would ‘do [his] very best to make sure that this issue is addressed’.

He promised to update Members regularly on the new legislation.

Read the debate.

Nick Hurd has also spoken on this issue on the Floor of the House of Commons, during the Report Stage debate on the Housing and Regeneration Bill. View this debate.

Richard Benyon MP Member for Newbury.

Richard Benyon introduced an amendment to the Government’s new Planning Bill.

The purpose of this Bill is to create a new Planning Commission. This commission would help fastrack major infrastructure projects by replacing Public Inquiries on controversial projects such as power stations and railway lines, and setting National Policy Statements on subjects such as power lines.

The amendment imposed a duty on the new Planning Commission to consider EMF health risks when deciding planning applications for projects such as new power lines.

We were concerned that with the fast track system, applications for new high voltage power lines may be granted without proper consideration for the health of children living close to the power line now and in the future. Richard shared our concern and was happy to table the amendment.

John Healey MP, Minister of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government responded, saying that Mr Benyon’s amendment was part of a ‘significant all-party push’ on the issue of EMF and health.

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Dr Brian Iddon MP Member for Bolton South East.

Dr Brian Iddon tabled an amendment to the Energy Bill.

One of the aims of the Energy Bill is to increase the use of renewable energy. More renewable energy will mean new infrastructure, such as new high voltage power lines.

There is currently no responsibility to consider risks to health from EMF when siting power lines. We were therefore concerned that there would be an increase in the number of power lines built close to homes and schools, putting more children at risk.

The amendment changed the permission procedure for new power lines to require the Secretary of State to consider EMF and health risks when granting permission for high voltage power lines.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints, the amendment was not selected but Dr Iddon managed to mention the issue as part of the debate on electrical safety.

Malcolm Wicks, the Energy Minister, stated that the Government expects to "bring forward any measures [on EMF] later this year".

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