Concerns for Cairngorms eagles over 4G mast plan

Park planners have recommended rejecting a proposal for a 15m (49ft) telecommunications mast proposed for an area that supports breeding golden eagles.

EE wants to construct the steel structure in Glen Avon as part of a UK-wide project tackling "not spots" - areas with poor or no mobile phone coverage.

Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) officers said the communications company had not considered potential impacts on eagles.

Developer Mova, which is owned by EE, Three, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone, said local feedback guided the locating of masts.

Two micro wind turbines and a solar array to provide power to the mast have also been proposed for the site near the summit of Gael Charn, about five miles (8km) from Tomintoul.

In a report to CNPA's planning committee, officials said the location was within the Cairngorms Massif Special Protection Area.

The area's importance to golden eagles forms part of the designation.

Golden eagles are a large bird of prey with a wingspan of more than two metres (6.5ft).

They were once found widely across the UK but years of persecution has reduced their range to upland areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to the RSPB.

CNPA officials said the mast should be denied planning permission due to concerns about potential "adverse impacts" on biodiversity.

The mast 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.

The project's aim is to improve connectivity for residents, businesses and tourists.

It has brought mobile phone coverage to parts of the Western Isles for the first time, but a number of sites in parts of Scotland have faced opposition.

Mova chief executive Ben Roome said: "The mobile network operators and government rely on feedback from local communities and stakeholder groups to maximise the benefits of new sites, helping to ensure best value for public money.

"Planning committees are a key part of this process to decide if new infrastructure should be permitted."