EE plan for remote Cairngorms 4G mast rejected
A mobile phone network’s plan to build a 15-metre-high 4G mast in a breeding area for golden eagles has been rejected.
Members of the Cairngorm National Park Authority Planning Committee unanimously refused permission for the EE project in Glen Avon, south-west of Tomintoul.
Ahead of the meeting, a report from planning officer Katie Crear recommending the plans for a mast at Gael Charn be rejected.
Describing the mast as “relatively large and imposing”, her report criticised EE’s “generic” application for ignoring possible impacts on golden eagles in the area.
“The application site is located within the Cairngorms Massif Special Protection Area designated due to regularly supporting a population of breeding golden eagles,” Ms Crear said.
“The ecology information makes no reference to this.
“This is a significant omission given that the proposal includes high structures in the form of a mast and two turbines.
“Therefore the proposal may have an unacceptable detrimental impact on protected species.”
Negative impacts from the project would be felt by those visiting and walking in the area, the report added, along with it causing “unacceptable” effects on the environment.
However, “fundamental omissions” in the plans meant there were effectively “no mitigations on likely impacts” in place.
The mast would have been placed on a new concrete base, along with three shared antennas, two dishes, four cabinets, two 11 metre wind turbines, solar panels and a generator.
Plans also show a 1.8 metre high deer fence surrounding the site.
Officers are also considering plans for a another proposed EE mast in Glen Avon, at Cnip Chaochan Aitinn.
Addressing the meeting, Ms Crear said: “The baseline information provided with the application cannot be supported due to inaccuracies within it, and the impacts of the proposal are expected to be more significant than set out.
