Public Perceptions of Landscape: Mobile Telecommunications Development in the Peak District National Park, 2004

<P>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</P><br>Mobile telecommunications development is a new landscape phenomenon resulting from the advancing technology that has contributed to national economic growth and social efficiency in the United Kingdom. However, there is little understanding of how change in the landscapes of National Parks resulting from such development is perceived. To address this, the project aimed to:<ul><li>extend knowledge about the nature of landscape impacts of mobile telecommunications development</li><li>explore the values attached to protected landscapes in a late industrial society</li><li>enhance understanding of people's attitudes towards incremental landscape change</li></ul>The research was undertaken in the Peak District National Park by employing mixed research methods. A public questionnaire survey was conducted as the quantitative part of the research. A qualitative case study was undertaken in the Woodlands Valley and examined key stakeholder perceptions using data collected from semi-structured interviews, document review and observations of public meetings. Users should note that this dataset only includes the quantitative results from the questionnaire survey, not any of the qualitative materials.<br>
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Two groups were surveyed by postal questionnaire: Peak District National Park residents, Peak District National Park visitors, and members of pro-environmental organisations and urban dwellers in nearby Sheffield.<br>
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The research findings suggest that the valued landscapes of the National Park are considered to outweigh the convenience of modern technology; and at the same time the benefits of modern technology are acknowledged as important for the quality of life for people living in protected landscapes.<br>
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Further information about the project may be found on the University of Sheffield <a href="http://www.shef.ac.uk/landscape/landscape_change/Index2.htm" title="Exploring public acceptance of modern technology: development in protected areas">Exploring public acceptance of modern technology: development in protected areas</a> project web page, and on the Economic and Social Research Council <a href="http://www.esrcsocietytoday/esrcinfocentre/viewawardpage.aspx?awardnumber=PTA-026-27-1347" title="Exploring public acceptance of modern technology: development in protected areas">Exploring public acceptance of modern technology: development in protected areas</a> award web page.<br><br><B>Main Topics</B>:<BR><br>Topics covered in the questionnaire included: perceived acceptability, and landscape and health impacts of mobile phone masts in the National Park; advantages of technology and impact on standards of living; attitudes to environment and conservation issues; membership of pro-environmental organisations; ownership of mobile phones and further demographic characteristics.<br>
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