How does this initiative address the health concerns about living near overhead power lines?
We acknowledge that there is a wider debate about the potential health effects of electric and magnetic fields (EMFs). EMFs are a natural consequence of most electrical apparatus, including power lines, underground cables and domestic appliances. The current international scientific consensus is against there being a major public health risk from EMFs. This is backed up by current Government guidelines and the advice of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). Consequently, we don’t support policies or proposals that rely on EMF and alleged health concerns as justification to control or direct development. These guidelines are not intended to address this wider debate in any detail. Rather they promote the values of good urban design and primarily address the real and tangible issues of good planning and design. This means the guidelines will continue to be relevant whatever the outcome of wider debates. To find out more about EMFs and related issues, visit the EMFs website a
