CONCERNS EXPRESSED OVER MAST DECISION IN SENSITIVE PEAK DISTRICT LOCATION

National Park Society Friends of the Peak District, has expressed its concerns over the decision by members of the Peak District National Park Authority’s Planning Committee to give the go-ahead in principal for an intrusive telecommunications mast and equipment cabins off the A57 Snake Pass on the remote Cold Harbour Moor.

This is an entirely inappropriate development for such a sensitive landscape of wild, open country, explains John King, Planning Officer at Friends of the Peak District. The mast itself will break the horizon and be seen from the road by walkers Cold Harbour Moor. The proposed base station, new lay-by and surrounding fencing will greatly increase the impact of the mast at ground level and when viewed from across the valley to the south. FPD believes the building of this mast and cabins contravenes the Park’s own landscape policies and would result in the Authority failing in its have to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape.

FPD had echoed the advice of the Peak District National Park Authority’s planners who had recommended the application be refused and were surprised when this advice was overturned at the recent Planning Committee meeting on 19th October.

FPD are now calling for the Park Authority to re-consider their decision and want the development to be considered by the full Authority as it contravenes their own policies.