The document summarizes the opposition to a proposed 25-meter mobile telecommunications mast over the village of Lastingham in the North York Moors National Park in England. It provides three alternative proposals that would provide mobile coverage while preserving the landscape and being more cost effective. The alternatives include a shared tree mast camouflaged in the valley near existing infrastructure, a BT Openreach mobile infill solution using existing poles, and an EE micro network of small discrete antennas within the village. The document argues these alternatives address concerns about resilience, environmental impact, and value for money better than the proposed mast.

1. Lastingham
England’s second oldest Christian settlement
654 - 2015 ADA 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
Proposedmastlocation

2. Introduction
2
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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3. Lastingham census
3
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.

4. Critique of the current proposal
4
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

5. Alternatives
5
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

6. Alternative 1 —A shareable tree mast in the valley
6
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 point14
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

7. Alternative 1 —A shareable tree mast in the valley
7
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.

8. Alternative 2 — BT Openreach Mobile Infill Infrastructure Solution (MiiS)
8
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

9. Alternative 3 —EE Micro Network
9
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.

10. Appendix A —Coverage Comparison for Hutton and Lastingham Masts
10
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.

11. Appendix B — Lastingham Beauty Spot
11
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.

12. Appendix C — Other Views
12
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.