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Last Words
Mobile phone use in Park under spotlight
By Michaela Robinson-Tate
12/05/2003
NATIONAL park enthusiasts are calling for people not to use their mobile phones out on the fells because they claim they intrude on people's solitude, and can make walkers less self-reliant, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.
The Adventure and Environmental Awareness Group says not only would an increase in mobile phone masts in the national park have a "severe visual impact" on the landscape, but that the cumulative effect of masts brings intrusion into areas where people seek peace and tranquillity.
Now the group is urging the Lake District National Park Authority to resist planning applications for mobile telephone masts.
The group, which is made up of a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts and environmental and recreation organisations, including the national park authority itself, claims that there are 14 masts, a further 28 with planning consent approved, and plans for another 50 in the national park.
The group said: "The cumulative effect of mast construction brings great intrusion into areas where people seek peace and tranquillity away from the pressures of modern life
"The group also feels that the use of mobile phones on the high fells tames the spirit of adventure and makes people less self-reliant."
They urged people to only use their phones in emergencies when on the fells.
Ian Brodie, of the Friends of the Lake District, which belongs to the group, said: "It seems a madness to a lot of us if the fells are there to escape and retreat from the everyday pressures of life, that people should want to take one of those pressures up with them."
A spokesman for the park authority said each application for a telecommunications mast was treated on its own merits.
"This is an issue which we are aware arouses great attention and controversy in the Lake District national park, with interested parties holding strong views on both side of the debate. "Proposals to site and erect telecommunication masts will only be approved where the need for the particular system outweighs the visual appearance, or other impacts of the proposal, on the landscape, nature conservation interests or cultural heritage in England's finest landscape."
l The national park authority has also responded to reports that the Government wants to relax the rules on satellite dishes to help boost digital television.
A three-month public consultation has been launched on the siting of satellite dishes and antennas, with options ranging from no change to full deregulation.
An NPA spokesman said: "We have received the proposals from the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and our planning officers are in the early stages of formulating our responses, but clearly we will be looking for special exemption to protect national parks if there is to be a total deregulation.
"Satellite dishes are an issue which does cause concern in the national park."
The original article at appeared at This Is The Lake District
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