New Morvern mast to bring area onto Shared Rural Network

An application has been made for a new 20m communications mast in Morvern.

Submitted by Cornerstone SRN, via the agent WHP Telecoms, the proposed mast site is north-west of Loch Arienas, near Durinemast. The land is owned by the Ardtornish Estate.

The mast aims to improve the area’s Shared Rural Network (SRN) connection. The SRN is a plan by mobile network operators and the UK government to improve rural 4G coverage, with a goal of 95 per cent national coverage by 2025. As well as the mast, the application includes vehicle access, but asks for no alterations to existing roads or parking, and no additional drainage requirements.

Originally filed in early February, the application was validated on Wednesday May 10. The delay was due to requiring further information on the red line boundary and route for the access track.

Three other sites in the area were considered, but were rejected due to the need for a taller structure or a longer connection to power equipment.

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “This is an application for planning permission. The application is due to be advertised in the local press on Thursday May 25 and there will be a 14-day period for representations, with an expiry date of June 8, 2023. The target date for a decision on the application is July 9, 2023.”

Cornerstone, one of the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure company, acknowledged in its application the balance of practicality and aesthetics for the mast, saying: “While we appreciate there will be a degree of visual impact from a new ground-based installation, we consider any impact will be outweighed by the benefits of a Shared Rural Network and the significant improvement to connectivity within the local area.”

Details of the proposal can be found on the Highland Council planning application webpage, under case 23/00557/ FUL. The case officer for the application is William Langdon.