An amateur radio enthusiast has been told he can put up a mast on a farm in Lezayre to pursue his hobby.

He had appealed against a decision by the planning committee to refuse permission for the extendable mast.

Richard Britnell had applied to put up the mast at Westhill Farm in Jurby Road but had been told the structure, which can extend to more than seventy feet high, would be too conspicuous in an area of countryside.

But planning inspector Andrew Kirby said he believed the normal operating height would be no more than fifty feet and wouldn’t interfere with TV receiption in the area.

He said it would go unnoticed by a casual observer and would be barely visible against the hills.

Mr Kirby recommended the appeal be approved and the planning committee’s decision overturned.

DLGE Minister John Rimington granted permission.