National Scenic Area near Torridon under threat
The Issue
16.3m telecoms mast proposed in the Scottish Highlands on the ancient path from Diabaig to Craig and Redpoint.
The site is in the middle of pristine, wild moorland that is very important to the local community, adjacent to a National Scenic Area. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty and one of the few pieces of coastline still without houses, roads or powerlines.
This is one of the most popular footpaths in the area. It attracts hikers from all over the world. The proposed mast and associated equipment would destroy the views on the moorland and the footpath.
As the proposer, the Home Office (HO) says overhead powerlines or underground cables are needed to supply the mast. These would run for 2.5 km through the National Scenic Area. The mast itself would be enough to ruin the landscape but powerlines or cables across the headland would be an act of further vandalism. Vital peat-land will be destroyed and peat-land represents Scotland’s largest carbon sink. Cutting even a small part of a peat bog can have a profound environmental impact.
The mast is to provide coverage for a section of road on the other side of Loch Torridon on the Applecross peninsula. Consultants acting for HO have identified a suitable alternative site for the mast next to this road and existing powerlines. This would allow much easier access to the mast for construction and maintenance work and would remove the need for damaging powerlines or cables, making it a much more cost effective solution.
In addition, the consultants have not explored other potentially suitable sites on the Applecross peninsula, sites which are also near the road and close to existing powerlines.
I am signing this petition because I:
- object to the siting of the mast on this pristine, uninhabited moorland adjacent to a National Scenic Area
- object to the 2.5 km of overhead powerlines or underground cables to supply the mast, which would run through the National Scenic Area
- believe there are more suitable and cost effective sites which HO should explore fully, one of which has already been identified by HO as a viable alternative
Petition Closed
The Issue
16.3m telecoms mast proposed in the Scottish Highlands on the ancient path from Diabaig to Craig and Redpoint.
The site is in the middle of pristine, wild moorland that is very important to the local community, adjacent to a National Scenic Area. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty and one of the few pieces of coastline still without houses, roads or powerlines.
This is one of the most popular footpaths in the area. It attracts hikers from all over the world. The proposed mast and associated equipment would destroy the views on the moorland and the footpath.
As the proposer, the Home Office (HO) says overhead powerlines or underground cables are needed to supply the mast. These would run for 2.5 km through the National Scenic Area. The mast itself would be enough to ruin the landscape but powerlines or cables across the headland would be an act of further vandalism. Vital peat-land will be destroyed and peat-land represents Scotland’s largest carbon sink. Cutting even a small part of a peat bog can have a profound environmental impact.
The mast is to provide coverage for a section of road on the other side of Loch Torridon on the Applecross peninsula. Consultants acting for HO have identified a suitable alternative site for the mast next to this road and existing powerlines. This would allow much easier access to the mast for construction and maintenance work and would remove the need for damaging powerlines or cables, making it a much more cost effective solution.
In addition, the consultants have not explored other potentially suitable sites on the Applecross peninsula, sites which are also near the road and close to existing powerlines.
I am signing this petition because I:
- object to the siting of the mast on this pristine, uninhabited moorland adjacent to a National Scenic Area
- object to the 2.5 km of overhead powerlines or underground cables to supply the mast, which would run through the National Scenic Area
- believe there are more suitable and cost effective sites which HO should explore fully, one of which has already been identified by HO as a viable alternative
Petition Updates
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Petition created on 4 August 2020