Row over keeping 'monster' Chippenham radio tower in garden

A resident, who wants to erect radio antennas around his house, has asked the Planning Inspectorate to give him the go-ahead after Wiltshire Council failed to reach a decision.

One antenna would tower above applicant Andrew Hughes' house at Eastern Avenue in Monkton Park - and the aerials have sparked complaints from neighbours.

But Mr Hughes says his radio equipment could be useful in case of an emergency - as he is the only radio operator in his town with the vital communications equipment.

In December, the radio ham applied to Wiltshire Council to erect four antennas "necessary for lawful amateur radio operation."

He says a planning officer visited in February and a decision was due by March 25, but was not forthcoming.

In early April, he appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, claiming 'non-determination' of his application by the council.

The applicant is a licensed Amateur Radio Operator regulated by Ofcom, and a member of RAYNET - the UK's voluntary emergency communication service, which can provide the police and other public bodies with vital communications if their own systems are disabled.

He says elevated antennas are "essential" for operation.

He says he is "aware that concerns may have been raised by neighbours with the council," but insists that "no neighbour has approached him directly."

He says many of the houses on his street have analogue television aerials, and a National Grid electricity pylon is visible from the outside of the property.

Of the four proposed antennas, one would extend 4.5 metres - around the height of a double-decker bus - above the roof of the applicant's house.

A second would extend 10cm above the roofline.

A third Triple Delta Loop Antenna would extend to 8.5 metres during operation, retracting to 4.5 metres when not in use.

A fourth would run from the upper floor of the property to two ground-mounted poles in the garden.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the application should write to The Planning Inspectorate, c/o QUADIENT, 69 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, SL1 4PN, quoting 6007663, or visit https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/enter-appeal-reference , by May 22.

Mr Hughes says "tall vertical structures are already part of the visual environment," and says his radio mast is "not visible from the public realm."

However, three neighbours have contacted Wiltshire Council opposing the application.

One wrote: "The radio antenna around both the house and garden have been a gradually growing source of discomfort for some particular time now.

"It has grown from one small antenna... to a rather untidy display with the latest being the triple adjustable monster, which looks very unsafe.

"There seem to be up to ten different types of antenna displays in total around the house and garden."

Another neighbour wrote: "The aerials are an eyesore. (I am) concerned that if I ever wanted to sell my house, this certainly would put people off.

"They are always to full extension and can be seen from the road."

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And a third said: "We would like to stress that the antennas are rather high and unsightly. We hope they are secure."

Chippenham Town Council says it has no objection to the planning application, while Wiltshire Council's public protection team says they have "no adverse comments."