Radio Licence Application News

The Radio Authority has advertised a new Independent Local Radio Licence to serve the town of Peterhead, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Although the applicants have the option of using the AM or the FM waveband only one licence will be awarded; applicants have to decide which band best suits their needs. The Authority will assess how far the applicants will cater for the needs of the local audience. The Authority welcomes public comments about the unmet local radio needs of the area. The licence will be for a period of 8 years starting from the on-air date. Application forms can be obtained from the Authority. The closing date for receipt of applications is 13 May 1997.

In another part of Scotland, the Authority has received one application for the local licence of Ullpool, situated in the NW of the country. The application was submitted by Lochbroom FM, contact Steve Boyle: 01854 613 131. This station intends to provide a broad programming service reflecting the culture and heritage of the area. Around 1,500 adults will be able to receive the service making this the smallest licence advertised so far by the Authority. There is, however, room for expansion within the conditions of the licence. Once again the Authority welcomes public comments on the proposal. The Authority hopes to announce its decision about the award of the licence in March.

Meanwhile, the local licence for the Western Isles has been offered conditionally to Isles FM. Isles FM was the sole applicant for the licence, it is owned by Western Isles Community Radio Ltd, contact Revd Stanley Bennie: 01851 703 609. The station will provide a mixture of chat and music from local and national sources; providing a service to the bilingual English and Gaelic-speaking communities in the Western Isles. The award of the licence is conditional upon the group confirming that it has secured the funding necessary to establish the proposed service. If these terms are not met the Authority will reconsider its decision.

The Authority also hopes to advertise a further licence to cover most of the borough of Doncaster. This follows the Authority’s decision to allow Hallam FM to consolidate its two separately held licences. The licences for Sheffield and Barnsley and Doncaster are now one licence.

The Radio Authority Holbrook House 14 Great Queen St London WC2B 5DG Tel: 0171 405 7058