Satellite dishes and the BA

[manko]

Here's an issue that has arisen for me. I am moving a Sky Account from my ex-grilfriend's address as she put it in my name and I'm paying for the contract, which she refuses to do.

I have to have a dish for it, and I enquired at the Broads Authority as to whether I need planning permission, as I had read up on it and thought that a dish less than 90cm wouldn't need it.

They have written back telling me that I do as my boat is not a dwelling, and the land is therefore not the curtilage of a dwelling then I do need planning permission.

Here's the classic though.....they also told me in writing that I need planning permission to put a dish on the roof of my boat! Complete and utter nonsense.

I have told them that instead of having a dish out of sight in the middle of Thorpe Island I will now now install it on the roof where everyone will see it. I eagerly await their next move.

Their planning officers need to brush up on the law I think. This is yet another example of the bullying and incompetence of this discredited planning department.

[Roy]

Their planning officers need to brush up on the law I think. This is yet another example of the bullying and incompetence of this discredited planning department.

I agree Manko...

[billy]

I once had a visit from the council regarding the chimney on the barge. OK I was on the slipway but I found it very hard to believe that it needed planing permission. ;D

..... and of course it didn't.

billy

[andy04]

I had heard before that planning permission is required if it's on the boat however, it is also required on the land. But I may be wrong. Should be an interesting subject to look up on. Gives me something else to think of.

[billy]

I think it's daft if they do. Would they say you couldn't have one of these tracker satellite dishes without permission?



Put the dish under a wheelie bin.

billy

[Roy]

I was under the impression you didn't need planning permission for
any structure if it's on a boat.

[manko]

May 14, 2011 9:49:28 GMT Roy said:

I was under the impression you didn't need planning permission for
any structure if it's on a boat.

Quite right of course Roy. Here is the direct quote from the BA's email:

"Dear Nick

I understand that your boat is permanently moored on the island and it therefore constitutes development of the land. Any development requires planning permission, unless it is covered by permitted development rights, such as those outlined in my previous email. Also, any alteration or addition to existing development requires planning permission".

My boat is a fully functional Bourne 35 connected only by mooring ropes to the quay heading.

So the BA are talking a load of rubbish. This is exactly the same argument they are trying to use with Peter at the East end of Thorpe Island with his 'Ark'.

Subsequent to this Sky turned up and I showed them where I could put the dish. The installer went back to his van to get the dish, and then called me a few minutes later to tell me that his manager told him that due to Health & Safety rules he was not allowed to return.... ever!
Since there has been a business here as well as residential use for over a century I would hazard a guess that Sky are the only company out of many to have actually refused to come here for this reason.

Both BT and TalkTalk for instance have been here recently with no problems whatsoever.

It's laughable...!

[andy04]

I agree with you smudger - we had a dish when we first entered the world of boats and nothing was ever said apart from what channels do you get? Now there are at least six around me now and all seems ok. I do not have one any more as I now have a nice petite little digital aerial which gives me 107 freeview channels. Stand up and be counted - go for it.