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When James Board traded in his countryside lifestyle for a move to the big city, he had no idea its neon lights would be glaring through his bedroom window.

But thanks to the awkward placement of Cardiff’s cinematic Big Screen in the Hayes, Mr Board’s flat directly opposite has been left filled with flickering light for the past five years.

The £250,000 two bedroom apartment purchased in 2008 by Mr Board seemed like his dream home until the super-sized television screen was erected.

With BBC programming running for the first four years between 7am and 11pm, the 36-year-old’s living room and two bedrooms were filled with colourful moving images when daylight began to dwindle.

“I would challenge anybody to have a screen erected outside their home and to have light every evening emanating in to their house. It’s the only topic of conversation,” said Mr Board.

“All people want to talk about is the fact that the walls are changing colour and you have to draw the curtains constantly. In the winter my house becomes like a disco.”

The security firm owner had already moved into the house when the screen was fitted and said that at first he thought it was unique, but the novelty of being able to watch Miranda from bed soon wore off.

Since contacting the council, the screen’s shutoff time has been reduced to 8.30pm, but Mr Board still finds his sleep pattern affected by the bright colour screen’s output.

“It’s not home. Anyone who endures that for that period of time will find they lose the ability to relax because it just drives you mad,” he said.

“You come back in at 8pm and as I walk in you’ve got the light changing on the walls and the carpet. It’s a form of torture and it’s relentless. During the winter months, your apartment is illuminated.”

And Mr Board also questioned the point of the gigantic Hayes screen, which has been owned by Cardiff council since December 2012.

He said: “I don’t see the use of it at all. I don’t see why anyone would come in to Cardiff city centre to watch the One Show or Miranda in the evenings and yet it’s all being paid for.”

A Cardiff council spokesperson said: “We are aware of and are sympathetic to the resident’s concerns and as a result have already curtailed the sound and operating times of the screen. The light pollution issue has been raised more recently with us and as a result we have arranged for the screen to be switched off at dusk.

“A full review of the future operation of the screen is being undertaken and the resident’s view will be taken into account when final decisions are taken regarding the screen’s future.”