'They've told me to take it down... it's taken away my life'

RADIO ENTHUSIAST TOLD TO TAKE DOWN HIS MASTS

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT Local democracy reporter

A DISABLED amateur radio enthusiast says his local council has “taken away my life” by telling him to take down poles which allow him to pursue his cherished hobby.

Ray Pratt, 92, has made friends with fellow radio users all over the world for more than four decades.

But the wheelchair user says this vital link could now be severed as Stockton Council would not let him keep the two poles supporting an antenna in his back garden. No neighbours put objections in to the widower and great-grandfather’s planning application.

But the council rejected it, saying the slim metal 10m and 7.5m “masts” outside his bungalow were clearly visible over fences, from gardens and above rooftops.

Planning officers argued the structures were “lightweight and slender” but 3.7m taller than the bungalows. They said the poles “would dominate the rear gardens harming their enjoyment for the neighbouring residents”.

Ray, a former fisherman and tanker driver who has served in the Merchant Navy, said: “They've told me to take it down. It’s my life. I think it’s disastrous. It’s taken away my life. I’m 92, I probably haven't got long to go and they're going to deny me the little bit I've got left”

Ray has his radio equipment set up in a back room and logs all his contacts on the airwaves each day.

He said: “I can be here for hours, if the conditions are good, just talking to people. I've been doing the amateur radio for 45 years, I've had it for such a long time. I've spoken to people from Australia, Brazil, Japan and New Zealand.