OAP to lose satellite TV after locals dish the dirt

A PENSIONER is set to be ordered to take down her satellite dish after neighbours complained it spoiled the look of their plush New Town street.

Catherine Turnbull, 67, who lives alone and loves watching satellite programmes, put up the dish at her Great King Street home earlier this year without planning permission.

She tried to disguise it by using a clear plastic dish and ensuring it was hidden from the road.

But that wasn't enough for neighbours who lodged complaints with the city council claiming the dish had a "detrimental" effect on the surrounding area.

One neighbour, Norman Tinlin, 60, of Great King Street, said today: "I object strongly to all satellite dishes. There is absolutely no need for them and they are an eyesore. There are more than enough channels on television.

"I am a stickler for rules and if somebody doesn't obey them then I think the council should enforce the law."

Now, Mrs Turnbull, who has owned the flat on Great King Street for almost ten years, is set to fall foul of the strict planning guidelines covering the World Heritage Site, with planning officials recommending the dish be torn down. She said: "I can't believe the fuss that's been made over this, and the money wasted by the council. Not to mention all the money I've spent.

"There were so many forms to fill in for planning permission, it was unbelievable. I finished them all and sent them in but I assumed there would be no problems so I went ahead."

But after a council inspection Mrs Turnbull was told the dish would have to be moved.

"I went up on the roof with the dish installer and we looked everywhere for a place to put it where it couldn't be seen," she said. "Unfortunately my block is a bit higher than the other houses so it was very difficult to disguise."

It was moved four feet, making it invisible from Great King Street, however the houses on Northumberland Street backing on to Mrs Turnbull's Georgian flat can see it on the roof and it is visible from the lane running between the streets.

"I live alone, so television is important to me," said Mrs Turnbull, a retired farmer. "I love watching it and I'm very upset that I can't get a satellite dish installed discreetly on the roof."

Mrs Turnbull's flat is covered by strict planning guidelines because it is a listed building.

But not all residents appear to be concerned about the alleged blight on the skyline. A resident of Northumberland Street whose house looks out at the offending dish hadn't even noticed it.

"It doesn't bother me, you can barely see it. I can't imagine who would be bothered."

However, Mr Tinlin added: "She [Mrs Turnbull] should have waited for the proper permission before going ahead and putting the dish up."

One objection to the dish came from the Architectural Heritage Society, which deals with the preservation of buildings.

"If it can been seen from anywhere in the New Town then we will object to planning permission," said a spokesman.

The council's planning committee will make a decision on the dish on Wednesday.