THE National Trust says it 'strongly objects' to plans to build a 25 metre (82ft) high telecommunications tower on moorland it owns and manages in Upper Wharfedale.

Communications firm Cornerstone, wants to build the lattice tower, with two radio antennas, four dishes, and an equipment compound, with fuel tank, at Middlesmoor Pasture, Kettlewell.

The company says the proposal, part of the Government's Shared Rural Network programme, is a collaboration between mobile network operators and will improve 4G coverage for people living , working and travelling in the area, parts of which have little to no mobile coverage.

In submissions to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, it says it considered four other sites in the area before settling on Middlesmoor Pasture.

But the National Trust, which points out the proposal is a resubmission of an earlier plan for a shorter mast that was withdrawn last summer, has registered its strong objection because of what it says is 'insufficient information surrounding landscape and visual impacts, on the setting of heritage assets and on the ecological interests.'

Its planning advisor, Natasha Rowland, raises concerns about the access track to the proposed site, the management of any spills from the fuel tank included with the development, and the possible loss of ground nesting bird habitat. Also of concern she says is the potential loss of acid grassland in the area, which is within the Upper Wharfedale Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and potential noise coming from the associated generator in an area where peace and tranquillity is 'highly valued'.

In its submissions to the national park authority, WHP Telecoms for Cornerstone states the proposed installation will be made available to mobile operators VMO2, Vodafone and Three for the purposes of providing '4G network coverage which will reinforce the capacity, efficiency and connectivity in and around Kettlewell and neighbouring villages benefitting residents, businesses and visitors to the area, including farmers and those enjoying the outdoors'.

It states: "The Shared Rural Network will deliver reliable 4G mobile connectivity, allowing rural business to prosper and rural communities to thrive. This is even more significant as the economy tries to recover following the Covid pandemic. Furthermore, high quality coverage promotes inward investment, creating jobs to assist in retaining skilled young people in rural areas."

It adds: "While we appreciate there will be a degree of visual impact from the erection of a new ground-based installation, we consider any impact will be outweighed by the benefits of a Shared Rural Network and the significant improvements of mobile connectivity within the local area."

"The location is also remote and set away as far as practicable from the settlement of Kettlewell with Starbotton in order to seek to minimise visual impact from residential properties."

"The proposed development, if approved, will be designed to accommodate multiple operators and will bring a modern, reliable, high-speed communications connection to this rural part of the national park.

"We consider the overall scheme will have a minimal impact upon the region while enhancing telecommunications connectivity in this part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park."