Claims mobile phone masts ‘saga’ in Cairngorms is turning into a ‘right farce’
Claims have been made that a ‘game of cat and mouse’ is being played in a bid to win planning consent for a controversial telecoms mast at Glenmore.
Three UK is behind proposals for the erection of the 25m high telecoms mast, equipment cabinets and compound on land 1.4 kilometres south of Sportscotland's Glenmore Lodge training centre.
The same telecommunications giant has also lodged proposals for a connecting mast on the doorstep of Ryvoan Bothy - one of the Cairngorms best loved shelters.
Objectors have said the only reason the mast by the Sugar Bowl car park is being proposed is as a link to the planned Ryvoan mast.
They say this is also surplus to requirements because of the existing coverage for emergencies from the O2 mast at Lanchoil.
Campaigners have also said that the withdrawal of the application - another will follow - also highlights shortcomings in the planning system.
Nick Kempe, of independent Parkswatchscotland, said: “It appears that the Cairngorms National Park Authority instead of saying the application was ridiculous because there is no need for this mast has asked the applicant to provide more information on the landscape and ecological impacts.
“Then, as soon as the applicant withdrew the application, the CNPA removed most of the documentation accompanying it including all the objections.
“That is now all completely erased from the historical record - including an objection from Aviemore and Glenmore Community Council - and when the application is re-submitted then objectors will have to start all over again.
“The withdrawal should logically mean that the application for the Ryvoan mast - to which there have now been 120 objections - is suspended because it is totally dependent on this feeder mast.
“If it’s withdrawn, however, those 120 objectors could have to resubmit when it comes back.
“This provides an excellent illustration of how the planning system as operated by the CNPA is not fit for purpose and how it works against the public interest.
“Unlike Highland Council, who have expressed concerns about the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, the park authority has so far said nothing and the board has not adopted any policy in relation to handling these applications but instead sits by while the mobile operators play cat and mouse with objectors.”
Fellow campaigner Dave Morris said: “This mobile phone saga is turning into a complete farce - a massive waste of public money and planning authority staff resources to stick up masts in places where nobody wants them.
“All because the last Tory UK government decided to line the pockets of their friends in the corporate tech world, while treating the local communities and wild places of the Highlands with utter contempt.”
He added: “The time for Keir Starmer to step in and halt this nonsense is long overdue.”
The SRN is a UK Government deal with EE, O2, Three and Vodafone to invest in a network of new and existing phone masts.
The agreement will lead to increases in coverage in some areas by more than a third, with the biggest coverage improvements in rural parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
It means all four mobile network operators will deliver 95 per cent combined coverage across the whole of the UK by the end of 2025.
But opponents have said the policy is leading to increasing intrusion of masts and tracks into remote areas and targets should be focused on communities and roads.
A CNPA spokeswoman said: “The park authority assesses each planning application on its own merits.
“Where it is considered that there is insufficient information to allow a full and informed decision to be taken, further supporting information may be sought.
“All applications for planning permission follow an open and transparent process and are assessed against the development plan, which consists of National Planning Framework 4 and the adopted Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021.”
A Three UK spokesperson said: “This site is part of our work on the SRN programme which will enhance coverage and provide greater choice for the area of Glenmore.
“We want to offer a reliable network experience and our planners determined that this site was required to deliver it.”
