APRS welcomes the withdrawal of the planning application for a phone mast at Ryvoan. We had objected to this proposed location, close to the bothy and in a remote area of the Cairngorms very popular with hill walkers and mountaineers and an important habitat for Capercaillie and other rare species. (update 3 December 2024)
We joined the local community, the RSPB, Mountaineering Scotland, JMT and many others in objecting to this development.
Kat Jones, Director of APRS said “As well as being a prime example of Scotland’s upland habitats, Ryvoan has a particular place in the hearts of those who love the mountains. Ryvoan bothy has been the starting point for many a mountain adventure and the experience of coming up the path from Glenmore and then out into the expanse of mountains is really special. We welcome the withdrawl of this planning application which would have had an unacceptable impact on this special place.”
This phone mast is part of a push for a geographical coverage target that focuses on land area rather than benefit to local communities and businesses. A mast recently built to the north at Lanchoil means that the additional benefits that the mast brought were minimal.
“There are other masts being proposed in remote hill-areas of Scotland to achieve the same hollow targets, which don’t focus on benefit to people and businesses, but rather geographical coverage alone. We, with communities and other charities, are calling for a rethink which protects our landscapes and special places.” said Kat
more information on the application, our Objection and the application is below.
The application is number 2024/0179/DET and you can also get to it via the search on the Cairngorms Park Authority Planning Portal https://www.eplanningcnpa.co.uk. CLOSING DATE FOR COMMENTS WAS 12 AUGUST 2024
Update: 25 Oct 2024 from RSPB
Here is a short update on our response to the additional information uploaded regarding the proposed telecommunications tower at Ryvoan.
The Additional Information submitted does not alleviate our significant concerns regarding this proposal. The Preliminary Ecological Appraisal submitted fails to provide adequate information to enable a full assessment of predicted impacts on species, habitats and designated sites. The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment has significantly under-estimated impacts of the proposed development on visitors experience of RSPB Scotland’s Abernethy Reserve and consequently people’s ability to connect with and experience nature.
RSPB have had a request for an extension to our response accepted, we will be submitting this before the 31st October. If you have not requested an extension for submitting a response to the additional information, the deadline is tomorrow 23rd October. Additional comments relating specifically to this information can be done by emailing planning@cairngorms.co.uk .
There are other masts still in planning you may wish to object to
This Planning application is part of a wider set of applications for mobile masts to comply with a UK Government requirement to cover 95% of the geographical land-area of the UK with mobile coverage. This is not about people, communities and businesses getting coverage, it is just a land area target. This is resulting in masts being proposed for remote areas which have absolutely minimal benefit for homes or businesses, and are there simply to meet the land-area target. In most cases there are far more appropriate places to site a mast.
We have joined with JMT and Mountaineering Scotland in their campaign to change this and have more information on our website here:
Mountaineering Scotland have created a map to show where the key issues are with a spreadsheet detailing each mast with a link to the planning application. If you feel strongly about this we are encouraging people to object to other masts, especially if they are in locations where they live or visit.
APRS’s View on the Ryvoan mast
In our Objection we have pointed out the following:
- The coverage area for the mast is mostly across remote hill ground and not to rural communities or businesses. Additionally, the mast built recently at Lanchoil means that the additional benefits that this mast brings are minimal.
- This area is particularly special as a landscape and the mast would be metres from the Cairngorm National Scenic Area and within the National park and is in an area valued by walkers and mountaineers for its scenic value.
- It is only 400m from Ryvoan Bothy, an important place for walkers accessing the Cairngorms and at the point that the views open up from the walk up the path from Glenmore onto the moors and towards the hills.
- It is within the Abernethy Forest Special Protection Area (SPA) designated for Capercaillie and Osprey, The Cairngorms SAC designated for freshwater and upland habitats and The Cairngorms Massif SPA designated for Golden eagle.
- The area is an RSPB reserve and the RSPB are concerned that there would be likely adverse effects on Capercaillie, which is one of the species for which Abernethy Forest SPA and Cairngorms SPA are protected. RSPB are also concerned about impacts on Red-throated Diver and Black Grouse
- The application has inadequate information about the impact of the mast on the qualifying species and habitats of the SPAs and the SAC. We don’t believe that these impacts have been taken into account in the decision to propose the siting of the mast at this point.
- A relay mast that will be put in Glenmore Forest is for the sole purpose to service this mast at Ryvoan, and that will have an impact on the wildlife of a protected area and the enjoyment of the many people that use the area for leisure purposes.
Objection to mast at Ryvoan
We have joined the local community, the RSPB, Mountaineering Scotland, JMT and many others in objecting to to a planned phone mast at Ryvoan, close to the bothy and in a remote area of the Cairngorms very popular with hill walkers and mountaineers and an important habitat for Capercaillie and other rare species.
RSPB Abernethy Nature Reserve
This proposed mast will be on the Abernethy Nature Reserve, which is owned by RSPB. It is one of the most special habitats in Britain and is protected by numerous designations including SSSIs and a Special Protection Area for capercaillies and Crossbills.
More information on how special the area is and why this mast must be refused has been written by Ben Oliver Jones the RSPB Abernethy Site Manager