Wester Ross telecoms mast proposal named ‘unnecessary and useless’ by locals
A TELECOMS mast proposed for a rural area of Wester Ross has been met with strong opposition from locals, who describe it as “unnecessary and useless”.
The planning application, submitted by CEP Telecoms Ltd, proposes the installation 15m lattice tower and associated items such as transmission dishes and a standby power generator, in Rhidorroch Estate near Ullapool.
The proposal is a part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN), a £1bn programme, which benefits from £530m from the four UK mobile network operators (EE, O2, Three and Vodafone) alongside £500m from the UK Government. The aim of SRN is to extend geographic 4G coverage to 95% of the UK by 2025.
During the proposal’s consultation period, which ended on February 26, the application submitted to Highland Council received a total of 25 public comments — all of which were opposed to the telecom plans.
Landowner, resident and business operator of the site, Kim Scobie commented: “This proposal brings connectivity to a minute group of residents that are opposed to [this application] and whose businesses are built on the very opposite of what is being proposed. Its location directly affects landscape visually and practically by way of disrupting continued work to protect the ecology of what is a special area — a special area that benefits from a precious remoteness and in turn benefits those who seek it out.”
Wester Ross local and land commissioner, Lucy Beattie said: “I am an adjoining farming neighbour to this site. I am in opposition to the plans because the potential benefits do not outweigh the harms to the environment that are posed by this proposal.
”Given that most of the houses in proximity of this development including my own have a copper telephone line it is clear that there is a need for a rural network that works for householders and businesses.
”Anecdotally I have asked the local mountain rescue team about these masts and I am told that they will not make a significant difference to their work and they are not in support of this proposal.”
READ MORE:
Ullapool’s highly-anticipated new Rhidorroch Distillery gin bar announces opening date
£17.5m Inverbroom estate bought by charity after huge private donation
Dingwall chip shop attack filmed by customer after ‘beast’ jibe
Convener of Lochbroom Community Council, Topher Dawson stated: “Over the last 18 months there has been a flood of these applications under the Shared Rural Network initiative. In most cases and especially in this case, the masts are almost completely useless and a total waste of taxpayers' money.
”This mast covers no public road, and this mast covers only two inhabited houses and two more holiday lets, all belonging to people who do not want the mast. The only reason mobile operators are adding these masts is to meet a badly conceived target of covering land area without considering whether coverage is needed or useful.
“We need more coverage in this area, but it needs to cover dead spots on public roads, workplaces and permanently inhabited houses. This community council is concerned to protect and cherish the unspoilt environment of the area, and part of that duty is to oppose developments which vandalise the natural heritage. These unnecessary and useless masts come into that category.”
It is expected that the application’s outcome will be decided by April 4.
