BOSSES at Stourbridge radio station The ‘Bridge say they will appeal after Dudley Council turned down their application for a new mast.

After complaints of interference from Pedmore residents in Dobbins Oak Road - where station’s current transmitter is sited - members of Stourbridge Radio Group applied to Dudley Council for permission to site two new antenna at Dean Court in Chapel Street, Brierley Hill.

But at Tuesday’s development control committee - councillors voted unanimously against the plan, after voicing fears over potential interference with nearby residents’ TVs, radios and pacemakers.

No tests have been carried out to prove whether the new site would be subject to the same problems as have been reported in Pedmore - but councillor Tim Wright, chairman of the committee, said he would not run the risk of finding out.

He said: “I’m not prepared to allow interference to be moved from one place to another for residents of this borough.”

Wordsley councillor Geoff Southall backed him up, saying: “It’s a sad state of affairs that people have to pay for a TV licence only to have their entertainment ruined. It just isn’t good enough that people’s concerns are being disregarded. I’m appalled by this.”

He also branded the impact of the equipment proposed for Dean Court “an abomination”.

The plan had been recommended for approval by Dudley Council’s planning officers, and a report to the committee said that despite a 32-strong petition objecting to the mast there were no material planning reasons for refusing it.

Councillors, however, said the appearance of the equipment and the impact it could have on residents were sufficient reasons for refusal.

Radio bosses said afterwards they would fight the decision.

Phil Tonks, executive director of The ‘Bridge, told the News: “We’re going to talk to our legal team and we’re going to appeal against the decision.”

A spokesman for Dudley Council said council officers would continue to liaise with residents in Dobbins Oak Road and consult with them on any issues they may have.

In the meantime, the team at The ‘Bridge say it’s business as usual and the station will continue to broadcast on 105.2 FM from St John’s Church in Stourbridge using their Pedmore-based transmitter.