Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

AN amateur radio enthusiast in Cefn Cribwr – who accused the town’s community council of racism – won an appeal to erect a fourth mast in his garden.

Radio ham Michael Butler, of Green Meadow, sent a stinging letter to Cefn Cribwr Community Council last month saying their “prejudice” against his mast erection ideas “bordered on racism”.

In an unprecedented three-pronged attack, he also penned letters accusing the Gazette of being “biased and sarcastic” and calling borough Mayor councillor Marlene Thomas “an idiot”.

In March, Bridgend County Borough Council planners slammed his bid to erect a 6.5m high mast in his garden to further his amateur radio hobby.

Opposers likened the proposed antennae to “a flying bedstead”.

But last week, Welsh planning inspector Rebecca Phillips upheld Mr Butler’s appeal against the BCBC decision.

The consent means he can now keep the three masts already in his garden and erect a fourth, on the proviso that it is only at its full height for three hours a day.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Butler reiterated his opinion that the Gazette was “biased and sarcastic” but wished to make no comment on the inspector’s decision.

But Cefn Cribwr villagers were more outspoken.

Fellow Green Meadows resident Diana Dimond, 67, said: “There has been a lot of bad feeling about this for a long time. I am disappointed by the decision.

“The fact that it won’t be up 24-hours-a-day is good, but who is realistically going to police that?

“We are all neighbours and we have to live with the decision but I’m sure this is going to rumble on for a long time.”

Councillors raised concerns about the visual impact of the masts, both for neighbours and for drivers on nearby Cefn Road.

But in Ms Phillips’ report she said: “Even though the mast and aerial would be seen against the sky, considering the slim nature and colour of the mast and the existence of street furniture in the street scene, I do not consider that they would be so prominent as to harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”

Conditions on her decision mean the mast can be no higher than 6.5m and can only be at its full height for three hours in every 24.

Coun Thomas, one of the planning committee members to object to Mr Butler’s application in March, said: “They may think that another mast won’t matter but it does to people living nearby.

“People are going to be bitterly disappointed about this.”

In March’s debate Coun Thomas said: “Why doesn’t he just buy a mobile phone for God sake?”

In a stinging letter of reply to the borough mayor, Mr Butler said: “You have made yourself look an idiot by making the comment.”

He also criticised Coun Thomas and Cefn Cribwr councillor Huw David for not taking him up on his offer to visit his “radio shack”.

“Then again if I was Welsh not English and born in Cefn Cribwr I am sure my offers would have been taken up,” the letter said.

Coun Thomas said: “I have no interest whatsoever in amateur radio. I have no problem with Mr Butler enjoying his hobby but not when it is infringing on others.”

In a letter to the chairman of Cefn Cribwr Community Council, Mr Butler said: “Knowing just how biased and how prejudice the community council is towards me so much so I believe it borders on racism.”

Council clerk David-Lloyd Jones: “I can categorically say the allegations are not true and are unfounded. I cannot understand what he is basing them on.”