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. 7 Aug 2024

Planning Team, Cairngorm National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3HG

7 August 2024

RE: 2024/0179/DET –  Erection of 22.5m high telecoms mast, antennae, equipment cabinets, fenced compound and formation of 25m long access track 

Dear Colin Bryans

I am submitting this objection on behalf of Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS). There was no box to tick that was relevant for our organisation online so I had to submit as a ‘Member of the Public’. I am sending this to ask that the submission be logged as coming from APRS.

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. Our specific comments are:

• 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.

Yours sincerely

Dr Kat Jones

Director APRS