Plans to raise phone mast in national park

The proposal is set to improve mobile phone coverage in the Yorkshire Dales

A phone mast in the Yorkshire Dales is set to increase in height to improve mobile coverage in the area.

The 50ft (15m) tower, near Low Row in Swaledale, would be extended by 5m if the proposal is approved.

In plans submitted to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, new antennas would be added to the mast at Gallows Top as part of the shared rural network scheme.

The scheme is a government project to allow the UK's four mobile operators EE, O2, Three and Vodafone to share equipment.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the mast is already used as part of the emergency services network, with engineers proposing to move these antennas to the top of the new extension to improve signal.

Teligent Telecom, which submitted the application, said the upgrade would "negate the need for an additional structure within the vicinity".

Teligent Telecom acknowledged the increased height meant the structure would be visible across a wider area

Documents stated: "It meets the criteria for sustainability; the provision of adequate telecommunications infrastructure allows people to work from home, access services, aids social inclusion and encourages investment within the national park.

"The extension and additional equipment have been sensitively designed and are the minimum necessary for the successful deployment of the shared rural network."

The company acknowledged the increased height meant the structure would be visible across a wider area but the lattice structure would allow views through it.

Teligent Telecom added: "The proposal would result in a moderate magnitude of visual change within the national park and any harm should be weighed against the considerable public benefit generated by the provision of the shared rural network rollout in this area."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.