Legal action warning on satellite dishes in city conservation area

Legal action could be taken against residents who put satellite dishes up on the front of their houses in a Hull conservation area.

The number of dishes on houses in the tree lined Pearson Park and Avenues area has doubled in the past decade.

The local residents’ association, which has tried and failed to persuade householders to shift the dishes, say it is spoiling the look of the area.

Now Hull Council is warning that enforcement action could be taken against individuals following a review in six months time.

Chairman of the Avenues and Pearson Park Residents’ Association Stephanie Wilson said she was delighted by the council’s “step in the right direction”.

She said: “Recently the council’s been minded not to enforce the policy, but luckily they have changed their minds. It was very frustrating for us as a residents’ association.”

Mrs Wilson said nearby streets showed how obtrusive the dishes could be, adding: “It is not terrible here yet, but if they had them on every house it would really scar the facades of our Victorian terraces.”

Former chairman of the planning committee John Fareham said action should be taken where there was a breach of the rules.

However one Avenues resident – who does not have a satellite dish – branded the move “pathetic”. She said: “I just can’t believe anyone would get irate about them. It is not as though we live in a semi-rural setting that’s known for its beauty.

“They are part of modern life. Did anyone complain when they put in telephone boxes for the first time?

“Any modern innovation is going to change the shape of the landscape.

“I know the association is diligently trying to preserve the area but I can think of far more detrimental things like overgrown gardens, litter and dog fouling.”

Householders will be reminded in the association’s newsletter that planning permission is required if a dish is on the front of the house and visible from the road. They are allowed on the back of the house.

After six months the council will review the situation “and enforcement action (will) be taken if considered appropriate on a case by case basis”.

Officials have been down to the Avenues to count the dishes and found 77 in total, with 29 on the worst offender, Victoria Avenue. A similar survey in 2001 found just 31.

A report to next week’s planning committee states: “Whilst some individual dishes may not be too prominent in themselves the council has a duty to consider the effect on the character and appearance of conservation areas.

“It could be argued that the number of dishes results in over-proliferation which harms the facades of the street frontages which will only worsen if action is not taken to seek their removal.”

However it appears that the council will not be able to take action on many of the dishes, as those which have been there for over four years don’t need planning permission.

The report to the planning committee says a blanket approach would take up too many resources, which is why they favour the softly-softly approach to start with.

It adds: “All other means of seeking removal of the dishes from front elevations should be exhausted first. One option would be to carry out further publicity and education.

“While the Avenues Residents’ Association has printed articles within their newsletter previously, it is considered further advice should be provided first to engage local residents and encourage voluntary relocation of dishes.”

The Avenues was designated a conservation area in 1974 in recognition of its distinctive architectural qualities.

[email protected]