Objections to 4G masts in Highland wild land

A view from near Aultdearg towards the Fannichs mountain range

Concerns have been raised about plans to install two 25m (82ft) communications masts in an area of designated wild land in the north-west Highlands.

The steel towers, which would have antennas, transmission dishes and infrared lights to warn low-flying aircraft, have been proposed for "not spots" - areas with poor or no mobile phone coverage.

Objectors claim the masts are unnecessary and would have an adverse impact on the Fisherfield-Letterewe-Fannichs Wild Land Area (WLA).

Virgin Media O2, which is involved in a rollout of the towers, said the masts would help bring faster and more reliable 4G connectivity to people across the UK.

The structures have been proposed for near Aultdearg and Incheril, within the Fisherfield-Letterewe-Fannichs WLA.

It is one of Scotland's largest WLAs, and covers about 309 sq miles (800 sq km) in Wester Ross.

An area of glens, lochs and moorland, it also has 18 Munros - mountains of more than 3,000ft (914m).

Land is designated "wild" due to its perceived naturalness, ruggedness of terrain, remoteness from public roads and visible lack of buildings, roads and pylons, according to Scotland's nature agency NatureScot.

Highland Council officials have recommended that councillors meeting next week grant planning permission.

But in their report to Wednesday's north planning committee officials notes there have been a number of objections.

Opponents claim the masts would have a visual impact and construction could damage fragile peatland.

They have also suggested hillwalkers, mountain bikers and deer stalkers who visit the area would not need the telecommunications masts because of the availability of satellite technology for communications.

Highland Council consulted a number of organisations on the plans, including NatureScot.

No objections were raised from them and NatureScot said the masts were unlikely to have an impact on the wild land area.

The masts would form part of the £1bn Shared Rural Network (SRN), which was set up to tackle not spots.

SRN is a joint initiative between mobile network operators and the UK government to extend 4G connectivity to 95% of the UK's landmass by the end of 2025.

A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said: "These applications for new masts – both of which have been recommended for approval – are part of the second phase of the SRN programme, in which we are working with other mobile network operators and the UK government to bring 4G connectivity to rural areas currently without mobile coverage."