Rejected Wroxall Radio Mast Proposal Heads To Appeal

Refused plans for a 13-metre amateur radio mast with a high frequency (HF) beam antenna in an Isle of Wight village are going to appeal.

Thomas Morgan asked County Hall for permission to install the structure to the rear of Romaldor, his home on St John’s Road, Wroxall, next to the Isle of Wight National Landscape.

Planners concluded the mast and antenna would appear as ‘incongruous and harmful’, detracting from the character of the area.

But in an appeal statement, his agent Phil Salmon Planning said the mast, which would support lawful amateur radio operations, causes ‘no demonstrable harm’ to neighbouring amenity and raises no health concerns.

“The proposal is modest in physical footprint, causes no loss of habitat or biodiversity, creates no traffic, no noise nuisance, no overlooking, no overshadowing and no loss of privacy,” it said.

The statement also said:

“The environmental health officer raised no objection to the proposal and accepted that there is no evidence of harmful health effects arising from amateur radio transmissions.”

County Hall’s decision report said the development would detract from the character and appearance of the adjacent National Landscape and the enjoyment of the landscape and countryside, for users of the Red Squirrel recreational route.

A total of 25 objections were filed with planners, raising concerns such as the mast being an eyesore with a severe visual impact, it is benefitting only an individual and not the community, and its visibility from English Heritage attraction Appuldurcombe House.