Village step nearer 4G as telecoms mast agreed
Planners approve farm site
Kinlochard and its surrounding area could finally get 4G coverage now that permission has been granted for a governmentbacked programme to site a new telecommunications mast.
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners have granted conditional approval to WHP Telecoms Ltd for a 25-metre mast and equipment on land north east of Ledard Farm. The company was appointed as infrastructure provider for the £25 million Scottish 4G Infill Programme (S4GI), a partnership between the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust which aims to bring 4G to Scottish `not spots’ – areas where 4G infill coverage does not yet exist.
The proposed site at Kinlochard, chosen after several others had been discounted, will provide commercial coverage available to public users.
A previous site had received permission but was later ruled out as the landowner was using the spot for other purposes. To allay any concerns that two masts could be erected, WHP and the landowner, Fergus Wood, have both confirmed in writing that the previous consent will not be implemented.
The wider Kinlochard area has until now been considered an area of `market failure’ given there are no operators providing 4G services there. None of the four main operators are under any obligation to do so.
Access to the site will be via an existing track from the B829 through Ledard Farm and then a 150-metre section of new track.
Scattered broadleaf trees are to be planted to compensate for the removal of six trees at the site.
In their decision, park planners said: “The need for the site has been demonstrated, namely to provide 4G coverage across Kinlochard. All technically suitable alternative site locations have been investigated and discounted and in terms of landscape the development can be accommodated with the mitigation measures proposed and there will be no significant landscape impacts.”
In a submission to
National Park planners, WFS Telecom Ltd, agents for WHP, had said: “Currently there is no 4G coverage across the target areas of Kinlochard and the surrounding areas so a new mast site at this location is considered essential to provide the community with 4G services.
“The proposed site has been selected on the basis it will address coverage more efficiently in relation to the alternatives considered and discounted. All efforts have been made to identify locations which offer either sharing of an existing mast or the use of existing buildings or structures, however there are none suitable within the search area.
“The siting needs to be relatively central in the target service area to provide all the required service from a single installation. The mast, appropriately sited, will negate the potential for additional sites in the locality. This is the most sensitive siting possible in what is a difficult target area and will minimise any impact on the visual environment.
“Connectivity is the lifeblood of remote areas; facilitating educational benefits, providing access to vital services, improving communications with the associated commercial benefits for local businesses, enabling e-commerce and working from home as well as enjoying access to social, media and gaming for leisure time activities.”
A new mast site at this location is considered essential to provide community with 4G services