Telecoms giant told to get message over plans for mast by well-loved Cairngorms bothy
Plans for a telecommunications mast on the doorstep of a hugely popular bothy in the Cairngorms have provoked anger.
Three UK has submitted the proposal with Highland Council for the development just 410 metres away from Ryvoan Bothy by Glenmore.
The proposal comprises a 22.5 metres high telecoms mast, antennae, equipment cabinets, fenced compound and formation of 25 metres long access track.
The project involves both the proposed mast at Ryvoan and a repeater mast on the road going up to Cairn Gorm above Glenmore.
Award-winning outdoors access campaigner Dave Morris has blasted the application.
He said: “It is part of a crazy UK Tory Government scheme to put loads of new telecommunications masts in remote areas of the Highlands where nobody wants them.
“New masts are needed close to communities and major roads where there are still some dead spots - as on the A9 between Newtonmore and Dalwhinnie - not in places like Ryvoan.
“Anyone who thinks they need mobile phone connection in such a location for safety reasons needs to get themselves a satellite phone or personal locator beacon.
“This multi-million pound scheme was invented by the Tory UK Government as an election bribe, trying to show Scottish voters that the UK Government was prepared to spend loads of public money in rural areas.
“In reality it is a project designed to keep the Tories friends in the corporate telecommunications industry happy as all this public money flows to the companies building the masts.
“The masts would also be useful for the Tory sporting chaps so that they could check up on the share price of their investments while crawling through the heather trying to shoot a stag.
“The Labour Government needs to get a grip and call an immediate halt to the whole programme and establish a consultative group, with all stakeholder interests present, and decide exactly where any new masts are required.
“Such a group would easily conclude that one of the last places any new mast is required is Ryvoan.”
There has also been a backlash on local social media to the proposal.
Alasdair Fowler posted: “It's an absolute disgrace if this goes ahead.
“I don't understand the logic here either.
“Surely this project would cost a fair a bit, but who does it serve? Ryvoan doesn't have line of sight to any houses or population centres?
“.... It seems like this has been planned by someone with no knowledge of the area, and just inspecting 4G coverage maps of the country.”
Colin Cadden stated: “It's happening all over the Highlands. Telecoms companies smell easy money on account of government grants.
“Basically, they're aiming for 100 per cent coverage, even if nobody lives in the area.
“I'm surprised there isn't one covering Loch Avon and the Shelter Stone yet but I'm sure it's coming.”
Steve Frew posted: “This is ludicrous when so many populated areas are still not spots.”
Three UK’s planning agents Mitie have said in their submission: “The development is being proposed to provide new communications connectivity in this area which has been classed by the Government and Ofcom as a Total Not Spot.
“The siting of the apparatus is driven by that coverage requirement with a proposed site location and structure height designed to provide as much coverage as possible for the lowest visual and environmental impact.”
They also pointed out: “The benefits of reliable 4G mobile connectivity are far reaching and have positive impacts on many aspects of day-to-day life.
“There are many personal and commercial benefits, as well as positive impacts on healthcare, education, tourism, remote working, and accessing online services, to name a few.
“In some of the more remote locations, one of the main benefits of the development will be in terms of improved health and safety to those who work or visit the area.”
The application has been called in for determination by the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s planning committee.
The reference for the planning application on the CNPA’s website is 2024/0179/DET and there is a deadline of 12 August for public comments.
