Both are at the top of their professions – one working on a HIV vaccine and the other presiding over some of the most important cases in the land.

But it was the professor who was victorious in a neighbourly dispute over a radio aerial.

Professor Martin Cranage and Judge Keith Cutler - who conducted the high-profile Mark Duggan inquest - live in a beautiful village in rural Wiltshire.

But the two became embroiled in a spat when the judge's wife said her enjoyment of their country location had been ruined by an aerial put on the roof of the former Emeritus Professor of Molecular Vaccinology at St George's University of London.

High Court Judge Keith Cutler (pictured left) and leading scientist Professor Martin Cranage (right) were involved in a neighbourly spat over the former's decision to put up a radio aerial without planning permission

The dispute was eventually hauled before council planners, where Prof Cranage, an amateur radio enthusiast, was told he could keep the aerial he put up without planning possession.

He said he was 'absolutely delighted' and called it a 'common sense decision'.

However, in a concession for the High Court judge's wife, Judith, he will have to make a fresh planning application if he wishes to put up a larger aerial.

Prof Cranage - who is leading the fight to find a vaccine for HIV - also has to ensure feeder cables are routed correctly through the side of the house in a village on Salisbury Plain.

Mrs Cutler had written to Wiltshire Council planners to complain about the radio aerial.

She wrote: 'One concern is that whilst the application states the dimension of the aerial it also states that an alternative may be installed from time to time.

'On 16/6/15 an aerial which appeared to be of considerably greater dimensions was temporarily installed. If planning permission is granted what control will there be over the size of any future potentially larger installation?

'A second concern is that of sound interference which has occurred through the internet. What plans are there to ensure this does not happen in future?'

Allowed to stay: The dispute was eventually hauled before council planners, where Prof Cranage, an amateur radio enthusiast, was told he could keep the aerial he put up without planning possession

Although Wiltshire Council granted retrospective permission for the professor to keep the aerial, a report stated: 'One neighbour has written in regarding the application stating that whilst they have no objections to the aerial they are concerned a larger aerial may be erected in the future. This would require further planning permission.'

Prof Cranage said: 'I am absolutely delighted. It seems a common sense decision.

'My application said I could alter it but not to a larger size. They have agreed with that condition which was self imposed.

'I believe the great majority of my neighbours are satisfied with the resolution.'

I am absolutely delighted. It seems a common sense decision Professor Martin Cranage

Recorder of Winchester, Judge Cutler, has stayed tight lipped about the controversy

But after she wrote to Wiltshire Council Mrs Cutler admitted ‘it was right’ there were concerns over it affecting the Internet connection.

She said: 'What I said is fair enough. I am not making any further comment but it is me making the comment not my husband.'

Prof Cranage had to get planning permission because the aerial was 4ft too high on his roof. He put up the aerial himself

The planning dispute started when a council official inspected the £100 aerial while Prof Cranage was sick in hospital.

A member of the public had told Wiltshire Council that Prof Cranage had allegedly breached planning rules. It was then confirmed planning permission was required. The council also said the aerial was nine and a half feet too wide.

The professor has just retired from St Georges Medical School in London but is still actively involved in HIV research.