Approaching Luibeg bridge in 2018; the proposed mast site is on the left © Sandy McIntosh
Just as this issue of Mountain Views was going to press, there came the welcome news that WHP Telecoms Ltd had withdrawn its planning application to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) to erect a mast on the south-east slopes of Carn a’Mhaim, along with "foul weather enclosure, 2 cabinets, generator, 1 V-SAT dish, 1.8m high compound, drainage system and ancillary development". Construction and servicing (“every two to three months … by four-wheel drive light vehicle") would have involved access from Derry Lodge alongside the Luibeg, crossing the burn near the ford, and then along the south bank for about 500m, and uphill for about 300m to a point overlooking both the trees currently regenerating there, and the footbridge a little further upstream. This location is of course highly visible from the approach/return paths to both the Lairig Ghru and the Sron Riach and Coire Sputan Dearg of Ben Macdhui.
Approaching Luibeg bridge in 2018; the proposed mast site is on the left © Sandy McIntosh
As with the mast application (now approved by Aberdeenshire Council, the CNPA not having called it in) above Baldownie in Glen Gairn, WHP justified the Luibeg proposal by reference to the nation-wide Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme. With £500 million from both the four major mobile network operators (Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three) and from Government, this aims for 4G coverage of 95% of the UK landmass, eliminating 'total not-spots' with no coverage. The programme appears to place little significance on the landscape or "Wild land" character of mast sites, instead referring to "increasing choice and boosting productivity and investment in rural areas". Scotland's new National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) appears to support this programme, citing "numerous benefits for the community and local economy".
NEMT immediately sprang into action and posted information on parkswatchscotland and UK Hillwalking as well as contacting various voluntary organisations and climbing and walking groups along with individuals. The reactions ranged from 'this is a joke' to outrage, particularly as the application said that the mast would serve both habitation and businesses in the area. That ridiculous and misleading statement simply highlighted the slack 'cut and paste' approach adopted in most of these applications. The application was immediately withdrawn partly, NEMT understands, because of the flood of objections. Thanks to everyone who took their time to do this.
Several objections (now not visible on the CNPA planning website) were lodged with CNPA in the few days before withdrawal, and pointed out that the proposal:
Despite the applicant's hasty withdrawal, the proposal is likely to be re-submitted, with "further supplementary information", although how this will address the points above is unclear. In the meantime, Mountain Views readers are asked to keep their eyes and ears open, and to bring pressure to bear on the CNPA if this (or other) proposals re-appear.
Section of map centring on Derry Lodge, parkswatchscotland
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