Aerial signals protest

9:34am Friday 25th April 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

RADIO ham Ray Wright has upset his neighbours by having a large tower and aerial in his garden.

Mr Wright, of Jackson Close, Devizes, has had radio equipment in his garden for over two years but when planning permission was given he unintentionally gave an incorrect calculation to Kennet District Council and the tower should have been smaller than it actually is.

Mr Wright has applied for planning permission to retain the tower at a height of nine metres as opposed to the previously granted planning permission of just under eight metres although on Sunday he removed the tower and instead plans to erect a pole of about eight metres as a concession to his neighbours.

His application, which will be considered today by Kennet District Council's regulatory committee, also seeks permission to retain a 20-metre high aerial which is fixed to his garage.

Eight letters of objection have been received from three neighbouring houses.

The objectors are unhappy at the height of the equipment and say it is overbearing.

Neighbours June Morcom and Brian Bowsher spoke of their concern at a meeting of Devizes Town Council's planning committee on April 15.

Mr Bowsher said: "I have lived in Longcroft Road for 34 years and we have a very nice garden.

"We spend a lot of time in our garden. Unfortunately that now has been spoiled by the erection of this lattice tower and the aerial."

Mrs Morcom, who lives two doors down from Mr Wright, said: "I am forced to share Mr Wright's hobby which I don't want to."

Mr Wright is a member of North Wiltshire Raynet (the radio amateurs' emergency network) and said the equipment was used when emergency radio communication required it as well as for radio experimentation.

"I'm surprised by the reaction of my neighbours but I can understand it," he added.

Noel Woolrych, the county controller of Raynet, supports Mr Wright's planning application. He said: "His equipment provides a desirable link around Salisbury Plain."

Mr Woolrych said Mr Wright had taken down four vertical aerials from around his house after complaints from neighbours.

Devizes Town Council has objected to the plans.

Coun Peter Evans said: "It looks a like Jodrell Bank. I would hate to have that when looking over my garden."

Planning officers are recommending the plans be approved and say the tower is not considered to be over bearing and the aerial is partially screened by trees.

Mr Wright is attempting to build three craft to take tourists into space.