Lastingham

England’s second oldest Christian settlement

654 - 2015 AD A cherished village landscape in the National Park

Under Threat

Report for the NYMNPA Planning Committee on the Lastingham & Spaunton Mast Planning Application

Lastingham Parish Meeting, 22 October 2015

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Introduction

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This report has been put together by the Lastingham Parish Meeting in response to the proposal to erect a 25 metre mobile telecommunications mast over the village, and following the NYMNPA Planning Committee meeting on the 17 September 2015 taking into account the issues discussed there.

The report is positioned not as a simple objection to the application, but as a helpful proposal to try and achieve an acceptable outcome for all affected parties.

Extensive work has been done by the Parish, and advice and guidance taken. There are detailed backing papers many of them referenced and which are fully available for review if required, but the following is a summary for the benefit of the Committee.

Overarching Objective

The objective that has been adopted is to respect fully:

The safety context of mobile coverage, particularly post the emergency services’ proposed move to using mobile signals

Village homeowners’ desire to have mobile coverage

To preserve the environment and National Park beauty as far as possible

Best value for money for the tax payer

Issues Addressed

There are five specific pieces of work that have been undertaken as expanded upon below:

A full census of all residents of Lastingham

A critique of the current proposal from Arqiva including:

Photographic work to help with the impact analysis

A full analysis of the additionality that the Spaunton mast would provide, beyond what currently exists and what will be provided by the Hutton mast

Value for money consideration

An analysis of the alternative options available, with appropriate impartial advice

Input has been taken from as broad a group as has been possible.

How to Read This Report

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Lastingham census

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A full census has been taken of all the Lastingham home owners, both permanent and holiday.

Three questions were asked:

Do you want mobile coverage with the mast?

Do you want mobile coverage but only without a 25m mast on the skyline?

Do you want no mobile coverage?

Census Result

All returned and signed forms are available on enquiry, but in summary:

9 voted for the mast and coverage

60 voted for coverage, but only without a 25m mast on the skyline

12 voted for no mobile coverage

Overall this represents a consensus of 72 who do not wish to have the mast, and 9 who do.

Spaunton

Spaunton Parish have unanimously voted against the mast.

Appleton-le-moors

Whilst the mast is not positioned to address Appleton, nonetheless several Appleton residents support it in addition to several who don’t.

Notwithstanding that, and based on the Arqiva coverage maps (see Appendix A), there would appear to be a negligible degree of 2G mobile coverage improvement to Appleton from the Lastingham mast over what they already receive.

With respect to 4G coverage over Appleton, there looks to be a misconception that the Lastingham mast will be 4G from the outset. This contradicts what Arqiva are publicly stating and we are unaware of the sources of their information.

We understand that the nearby mast at Kirby Misperton will soon be 4G.

Critique of the current proposal

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The concerns we have about the current Arqiva mast fall into three areas:

Resilience — the proposed ‘microwave backhaul’ design is inherently unsuitable for upland villages and liable to fail in poor weather.1

Environmental impact — the effective height of the mast as proposed would be 295 feet above village level on the skyline behind a thin line of deciduous trees half the height of the mast — unarguably a blot on this cherished and protected moorland landscape visible for miles around.

Aside from the potential inefficiencies for day-to-day use, with the Emergency Services Network moving over to 4G and the regularity of days with low cloud, fog and snow at Lastingham, it is quite likely that this will not provide the ‘blue light’ communications needed.

Value for money —the 25 metre tall lattice steel structure is over engineered for the provision of mobile signal to a ‘not spot’ comprising just 35 homes (see Appendix A). Additionally, it represents a duplication of taxpayer spend in that the fibre optic cable is already invested and laid.

Irrespective of the alternatives we present below, we feel it is clear the current Arqiva proposal is not fit for purpose.

1 Vodafone. (2015, July 3). Anticipated Acquisition by BT Group plc of EE Limited - Submission to the CMA – p9, 2.15(ii)(a)

A 25m mobile phone mast in Shipton similar to that proposed for Lastingham. The photograph was taken from a point 150m away from the mast.2

2 Google Streetview. 25m mast at Shipton by Beningbrough

Alternatives

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Naturally there are other options for the mast, but two options address all of the above mentioned flaws in the current proposal, and a third option improves on at least two of them.

Example of a camouflaged tree mast.

To FIBRE or not to FIBRE

We are aware that the Agent has advised Mark Hill of the planning department that the fibre optic cable will not be effective for a mobile base station connection.

Please be advised that this is completely inconsistent with the advice received from independent experts, and from Super Fast North Yorkshire who have specifically stated that 'it is not impossible for the MNO to connect fibre to the mast, this is no different for any mast located anywhere in the UK’.3

3 Andy Lister, Super Fast North Yorkshire. (2015-10-02). Email to NYMNPA - final paragraph

Alternative 1 —A shareable tree mast in the valley

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A shareable tree mast4

The topography of Lastingham suggests some obvious locations for such a mast down in the valley that are:

is a single mast camouflaged as a tree that is shared by all four mobile network operators (MNOs) and commonly used in environmentally-sensitive areas.

Unobtrusive amongst existing pine trees,

Within approximately 20 metres of the incoming BT fibre-optic and copper cabling, and

Capable of providing mobile coverage to the entire village and valley.

One site in particular is the water treatment plant on Ings Lane,5

The mast will need to connect to the mobile operators’ national networks. This link can be readily provided by the existing BT cabling infrastructure a few metres away. Initially we understand the mast will be only 2G which only requires the copper telephone wires;

it being understood that Yorkshire Water has ready-made wayleave contracts for such mobile masts (base stations).

6 however, the BT Openreach fibre-optic cabling recently ducted along Ings Lane could be used from the start to enable the mast to support 4G technology and beyond7 which is the best-practice solution.8

4 Arqiva. (2015, August).

Statement in Support of an Application for Planning Permission (NYO4352) - p31 5 Streetmap.co.uk. Yorkshire Water treatment plant, Ings Lane, Lastingham - see orange arrow 6 Vodafone. (2015, July 3). Anticipated Acquisition by BT Group plc of EE Limited - Submission to the CMA - p9, 2.15(i) 7 Andy Lister, Super Fast North Yorkshire. (2015-10-02). Email to NYMNPA - final paragraph 8 Vodafone. (2015-03-03). Anticipated Acquisition by BT Group plc of EE Limited - Submission to the CMA – p13, 2.15(iv)

This design fully accords with the Arqiva guidelines agreed with the government for this mast — where, if possible and appropriate, a pole mast is to be used with bespoke mast design to reflect especial settlement considerations, features and characteristics.9 And also Arqiva’s acknowledgment of the validity of utilising the fibre network.10,11

This design also adheres to the National Park Authority’s agreement with the MNOs — to be open to alternative designs, innovative proposals and network solutions to facilitate deployment in an environmentally sensitive manner.

12,13

Finally, it delivers on Arqiva’s commitment to avoid — sky-lining on exposed hilltops or ridgelines which have insufficient natural screening; siting too close to recognised vistas or viewing points; and siting close to rights of way where the mast would become a focal point

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9 Arqiva. (2014).

MIP Principles and guidelines for the sensitive siting and appearance of mobile base stations p11,14 10 Arqiva. (2014). MIP Principles and guidelines for the sensitive siting and appearance of mobile base stations p17 11 Nicholas Ott, MD, Arqiva. (2013-05-15). UK government awards Arqiva with rural-focused mobile network deal 12 Jim Bailey and John Cooke. (2013). National Parks England and Mobile Operators Association Joint Accord – p3 13 NPE and MOA. (2014, July). National Parks England & Mobile Operators Association Accord Launch 14 Arqiva. (2014). MIP Principles and guidelines for the sensitive siting and appearance of mobile base stations p11

Alternative 1 —A shareable tree mast in the valley

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In short, a shareable tree mast offers the following benefits:

Resilience — exceptional

Fibre-optic and copper links are unaffected by weather

Best practice for the emergency services network in rural uplands

Environmental impact — low

Mast off the skyline unobtrusively located outside the village at village level amongst trees

Value for money — an improvement

We expect significant cost savings compared to the 25 metre structure — possibly £100,000s, and making best use of already-invested taxpayers’ money

Annual charge for a BT Openreach EAD 100 Mb/s link is currently £2,400 with £1,950 initial connection charge.15 We understand this is not distance but capacity related. At least two EAD lines will be required for the mast (for CTIL and MBNL). In addition, all four MNOs in the UK purchase BT Wholesale’s MEAS16 product for the majority of their fibre mobile backhaul services and have signed long-term contracts with BT Wholesale.17 The nearest 21CN exchange to Lastingham is 11km away at Pickering.18

15 BT Openreach. (2015-10-18). Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) Price List 16 Vodafone. (2015-03-03). Anticipated Acquisition by BT Group plc of EE Limited - Submission to the CMA – p15, 2.21(ii) 17 Competition and Markets Authority. (2015-06-09). Anticipated acquisition by BT Group plc of EE Limited p20. 18 BT Wholesale. (2015-10-18). 21CN WBC Exchange Coverage

Example of a substantial camouflaged tree mast. Similar to the mast at Thornton-le-Dale which is also in the National Park.

Alternative 2 — BT Openreach Mobile Infill Infrastructure Solution (MiiS)

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BT Openreach Mobile Infill Infrastructure Solution (MiiS)19

is a recent innovation from BT to tackle the trickiest of ‘not spots’ without the need for a mast. It is a managed product provided by BT designed to allow mobile operators to provide 4G coverage to communities such as Lastingham. Minimal infrastructure is required with a single discrete antenna installed on a telegraph pole connected to the network over fibre.

This solution is independent of MNOs who purchase the service from BT Openreach. With the merger of BT/EE and the Emergency Services Network contract going to them, we have sight of an ideal solution here for Lastingham.20

19 BT Openreach.

Mobile Infill Infrastructure Solution (MiiS) 20 4g.co.uk. (2014, Sept 30). 4G not-spots could be plugged with the help of BT telephone poles

How does a BT MiiS solution measure up to the 25m mast?

Resilience — exceptional

Fibre-optic links are unaffected by weather

Best practice for the emergency services network in rural uplands

Environmental impact — low

Single small discrete antenna

Value for money — exceptional

We expect significant cost savings compared to the 25 metre structure — possibly £100,000s, and making best use of already-invested taxpayers’ money

Alternative 3 —EE Micro Network

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The EE Micro Network21

The innovation comprises a mesh of two or three small discrete antennae located within the village attached to gable ends, telegraph poles etc.. Only one antenna in the mesh is connected to the national network, the others need only a power supply connection.

is a further recent innovation to tackle the trickiest of ‘not spots’ without the need for a nearby mast. It is single operator at present (BT/EE) but is most likely to support the new 4G Emergency Service Network being pioneered by the government and BT/EE.

The EE Micro Network has been trialled in the Cumbrian village of Sebergham and will be rolled out to 1,500 rural communities over the next two years. 22

How would an EE Micro Network solution measure up to the 25m mast?

Resilience — same

A microwave link is still required either to Hutton or Bilsdale

Environmental impact — low

Small discrete antenna flexibly located

Value for money — exceptional

We expect significant cost savings compared to the 25 metre structure — possibly £100,000s

21 EE. (2014, December 2). Groundbreaking new EE micro network set to benefit rural communities 22 theregister.co.uk. (2014, Dec 3). What's the opposite of a NIMBY?

Users on other networks

Both alternatives 2 and 3 will allow users to make emergency calls, but one shortcoming of them is the inability to make calls on phones from other operators.

Home owners — many already have home signal boosters and for those who don’t the Lastingham parish meeting has in principle agreed a precept to finance them if required (at approximately £100 each). They also have the option to switch to a phone contract that will work.

Visitors who want mobile phone signal — at present they need to walk up to the moors edge to get a signal. That may no longer be necessary with the new Hutton, we just don’t yet know. Newer phones now support Wi-Fi for making and receiving normal mobile calls, which is compatible with cottages and the pub.

Visitors who want to get away from masts — hopefully they keep coming.

Appendix A —Coverage Comparison for Hutton and Lastingham Masts

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Overlay of the predicted signal coverage maps for the two masts. Enlarged maps and the overlays are available to Committee Members.

Yellow shows coverage specific to the Hutton mast. Pink shows coverage specific to the Lastingham mast as proposed. Brown shows coverage duplicated by both masts.

‘Not spots’ are not identified nor is coverage already provided by other masts: Spaunton and Appleton already have coverage.

Appendix B — Lastingham Beauty Spot

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A summertime view of Lastingham from the beauty spot above the conservation area.

The proposed site for the mast is centre-right on the bank.

Appendix C — Other Views

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Wintertime view of the proposed site looking south from Anserdale Lane. The mast would be on the brow of the hill behind the broken row of mature exposed deciduous trees. Effective height of the mast above the village would be 90m (295ft).

Famous old postcard showing the landscape viewed from Cropton Bank. The proposed site is marked.