PLANS to site a 82ft high 4G mast just feet away from the Yorkshire Three Peaks route has been withdrawn following objections from residents, parish councillors and concerns from the planning authority itself.

Environmental charity Friends of the Dales was just one of the objectors to plans by Clarke Telecom to build a mast at Chapel-le-dale next to the three peaks route between Whernside and Ingleborough, which is walked by thousands of visitors every year.

The proposal was part of a Shared Rural Network project for Cornerstone aimed at improving mobile connectivity across the national park and would have involved the building of a lattice tower, with six antennas, and four transmission dishes on land at West Close Pasture, Philpin Lane, together with an access track and gated compound.

Commenting on the proposals for the site, which is close to protected moorland and within sight of Ribblehead Viaduct, Friends of the Dales said it would 'introduce an incongruous clutter of built forms and an extensive area of hard-standing'.

The Dales Hang gliding and Paragliding Club, which has about 200 members, also objected to the scheme saying the planned location of the mast ‘conflicted with its designated emergency landing field’, while the owner of Broadrake, a bunk barn and craft workshops business nearby on the path to Ribblehead, said it would have a ‘massive visual impact’ for the estimated 100,000 to 200,000 people who use the Yorkshire Three Peaks route every year.

A spokesperson for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority confirmed that the application had been withdrawn and the applicant would look for another site.

“In response to concerns about the effect of the proposal on the scenic beauty of Chapel-le-dale, which were raised by the authority as well as Ingleton Parish Council and residents, the applicants have withdrawn the proposal and will look for another site. The site for the proposed lattice tower was at the foot of Great Whernside next to the much-loved Three Peaks route.

“The authority is committed to improving mobile connectivity across the national park and will continue to work with mobile operators to find appropriate sites for 4G masts.”

Cornerstone is hoping to deliver the shared network on behalf of Vodafone, Telefonica and Three.

It has stated: “There are many rural areas in the UK which are partial not spots. That is, there is only coverage with one mobile network operator. An installation in this location will ensure that 4G coverage is provided by the three Mobile Network Operators – Vodafone, Telefonica and Three."