To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to require the removal of pylons and transmission lines which no longer carry electricity. [30556]

Planning permission for all but the most minor overhead lines is granted by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. It is frequently a condition of such a permission that the apparatus is removed if no longer needed. Where such a condition has not been attached and there is an affect on amenity, a local planning authority has powers to serve a notice under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requiring removal. Such notices may be enforced by, or appealed against to a Magistrate's Court and do not concern the Secretary of State.