A 30-METRE phone mast, generator and solar panels planned for an isolated part of Scotland without a single house is a prime example of why the 4G Total Not Spots programme is a “complete waste of UK Government money”, according to protesters.
Located in Glen Undalain, part of a National Scenic Area and the Knoydart Wild Land Area, the mast has “even less justification” than others being proposed for so-called Total Not Spots, the campaigners claim.
“It will have an even greater impact on what is a wild and unspoilt landscape due to its height and the proposed solar panels,” said Nick Kempe of Parkswatch Scotland.
“Moreover, much of this small area of wild land receives 2G signal from an existing Vodafone mast which allows coverage for emergency purposes.”
The mast planning application has been followed by a demand for an urgent review of the Total Not Spots element of the £1 billion Shared Rural Network programme. The call has been made by a coalition of leading rural, wildlife and conservation bodies, including The John Muir Trust, Scottish Land and Estates, RSPB Scotland, Mountaineering Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, Ramblers Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland.
Community councils across the Highlands have also signed the letter to Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for Digital and Data Infrastructure, asking for a review of the roll-out which was put in place by the Tory government.
The Shared Rural Network programme is a collaboration between the UK Government and four big mobile phone operators – EE, O2, Three and Vodafone – which aims to achieve 95% 4G mobile phone coverage across Britain - but rural communities are calling for the money to be spent on improved communications where they are actually needed.
“The approach to achieving the coverage is target-led, top-down and, crucially, is failing to consider whether people living in rural areas need the masts,” the letter states.
In Scotland, there are 260 sites classified as Total Not Spots, which are often selected mainly to provide landmass coverage and meet the geographical targets of the programme, rather than prioritising coverage for communities or transport routes, the campaigners argue.
“This has resulted in a scenario where extremely remote and ecologically fragile areas are set to accommodate unnecessary masts, along with related infrastructure and access roads, leaving a significant mark on these unique wild places,” says the letter.
The widespread agreement between different organisations – all with diverse interests – highlights the compelling need for a review and an assessment of how the financial resources could be better used, according to the campaigners.
Kempe said it would be hard to find a better case than the proposed mast at Glen Undalain to show why the scheme was a waste of money.
Mountaineering Scotland has also objected to the proposed mast, due to the “adverse visual impact” on the Kintail National Scenic Area and the Wild Land Area of Kinloch Hourn, Knoydart and Morar.
“It is our opinion that this telecommunications mast at this location is inappropriate in the landscape,” said the organisation.
“It would stand out as a cluster of metal cabinets with a tall lattice mast in an open mountain landscape, with the small manmade pony path the only signs of human development in an extensive area.”
Mountaineering Scotland said that while it supported the policy of better digital connectivity, it believed the proposed mast’s “significant adverse effect” on the landscape was not outweighed by social, environmental or economic benefits of national importance.
“The applicant’s own map shows there is existing coverage from Vodaphone for Shiel Bridge residences and the A87,” said Mountaineering Scotland.
“The applicant’s information demonstrates there are no public roads, residences or business premises that require this proposal at this location for digital connectivity.”
Geomorphologist David Jarman has also “strongly and fundamentally” objected to the proposal.
“It is in a wild glen almost untouched by modern human intervention,” said the scientist, who studies the earth’s landscape. “There is no known need for it, as no-one lives there and few go that way. Mountain Rescue states it has no need for such provision.”
The application from mobile infrastructure services company Cornerstone is before Highland Council. The application argues that the proposal is “the best balance between landscape, environmental impact and operational considerations”.
Bryant has so far not reacted to the call for a review of the programme.
