Siting and design of telecommunications in the countryside

In the countryside telecommunications development has to be sited and designed carefully. Skylines can be easily broken and habitats and species easily disturbed. If telecommunications infrastructure is located in prominent positions it can change the character of a landscape and detract from its quality. Cumulative impacts can also cause concern. Areas designated for their landscape quality and other sensitive landscapes, such as the undeveloped coast, will pose particular challenges in finding an acceptable solution. The approach to finding the optimum solution may include disguising the antennas, sharing a site or existing infrastructure, minimising the size of a new mast, using stealth designs, and landscaping and appropriate screen planting. Hill-top or skyline sites should only be used as a last resort.