Allt Eigheach, Loch Eigheach behind © Mike Reid CC BY-SA 2.0
In the last edition of Mountain Views we reported fully on the background to the Shared Rural (SRN) rollout of telecoms masts and how many of proposed sites are deep within Wild Land Areas and National Scenic Areas where they would serve no communities or business premises whatever. This has come about because of the design flaw in the approach which favours graphically coverage, rather than targetting connectivity improvements on where people need it. It is no exaggeration to say that, if the rollout continues as now planned, numerous remote, unspoilt glens and hillsides will be 'industrialised'.
A subgroup of NEMT has worked hard over the summer on a twin track approach of a) supporting political activity to encourage the Westminster government to pause the rollout and review the programme and b) objecting to mast applications across Scotland where these serve no public benefit and where they have negative landscape impacts.
The change in UK government has led to a glimmer of hope in that it is understood that a review of the rollout is being considered. One of the telling arguments is that the 'Total Not Spot' initiative, which is the part of programme of concern to NEMT, involves very significant sums of public money. The new government may see streamlining the rollout as a chance to make savings or redirect funds to more pressing priorities. With this in mind, the 'coalition of concern', the group of organisations campaigning for change which includes NEMT and which is led by The John Muir Trust and Mountaineering Scotland, has written to the new Minister calling for a pause. In addition to coalition members, this letter was signed by a number of Community Councils and by estate owners who do not want their land blighted by masts. At this point, early in August, NEMT again asked members to consider writing to their MPS arguing the case for a review. The coalition also intends to press the Scottish Government to become more involved. Holyrood politicians have tended to hide under their desks when the issue has been raised!
At the national level, providing weekly updates of new masts in areas of concern has been taken over by Mountaineering Scotland as The John Muir Trust found that it no longer had the capacity to do this. The list is available at https://www.mountaineering.scot/conservation/planning-consultations/shared-rural-network
On a weekly basis, NEMT 'trackers' pick up any applications from planning lists relating to the Cairngorms National Park and surrounding areas and feed these to Mountaineering Scotland, as do individuals covering Highland region, Perth and Kinross and the key areas of Argyll and Bute.
A Facebook page continues to provide commentary and updates.
These outlets ensure that those wanting to object are kept up to date.
The rate of applications has been such that NEMT has been objecting to at least one a week, often more. The following is position as of early September:
Withdrawn - 12 (but may be, or have been, resubmitted. In the latter case, we have recorded them as new applications.)
Approved - 9
Refused (no appeal) - 0
Refused but subsequently appealed by the developer and appeal allowed: mast now approved - 1
All others remain under consideration
A number of those which have been approved were 'permitted development' and did not need full planning applications: the latter are required for applications in places with specific legal restrictions such as National Scenic Areas and SSSIs. Wild Land Areas have no legal basis and so applications within their boundaries are permitted development unless the site is also covered by a statutory designation. An application which is permitted development can be refused by a planning authority but its scope to do this is limited to the appearance of the mast and to where it is sited. Such applications tend to be dealt with more quickly by the planning authorities.
Consent was refused for two masts NEMT objected to but the applicants then appealed the decisions. These sites are:
Allt Eigheach, Loch Eigheach behind © Mike Reid CC BY-SA 2.0
With regard to the Cairngorms National Park, a number of controversial applications are expected shortly but two, which are currently under consideration, are causing great concern; NEMT has objected to both. One is adjacent to Ryvoan Bothy and this has, unsurprisingly, garnered numerous objections (over 120). The other is to the east of the road up to the Cairngorm ski area, the purpose of which is to act as a relay station for the Ryvoan mast. This one was withdrawn as inadequate information had been submitted but the developer has signalled that resubmission will be forthcoming.
Overall, this is a fast developing situation and this report may well be out of date by the time Mountain Views is published. The risk to some of Scotland's finest remote landscapes can't be exaggerated. This is the most important campaign NEMT has been involved with in recent years.
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