Who Put That Electricity Pole There?

SplittingDistant

Hi,
When we moved into our new house in the country we didn't really think too much about the electricity supply pole (30feet high) in our garden. The pole is a spur off the 'main line' at the corner of our garden (just outside our boundary) which feeds our house and our neighbours by overhead cable. One of the local farmers asked if I was getting my payment from the electricity company. Being a city boy I had no idea about such things! I checked and there was no mention of the pole on my deeds. So I wrote to the electricity distribution company. They sent me a plan of my property which showed that there was no pole where there clearly was! Having agreed that it did exist, they then sent me a cheque for £50, and a deed of easement to sign (which remains, unsigned!). To be honest I'd rather they buried the cable than pay me for the pole. Burying the supply cable would only require a 40 foot dig so is not beyond the bounds of possibility. As it looks like they erected the pole without going through the correct procedure in the first place, does anyone know if I stand a kitten in a blenders chance of getting the pole removed and the supply cable buried? As it would increase the value of my property if the pole and overhead cables were removed I might even be prepared to pay towards the cost, but don't tell them that!

All help and advice gratefully received.

Many Thanks.

wecanhelpu

This article might help.http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/LandandDevelopment/LO/ElectricityAgreements/

I have a telegraph pole at the end of my garden and when I first moved in contacted BT about payment. They too offered me a one-off payment of £50 but I refused it and negotiated an annual payment of £12.

The money is not important. What is important is the acknowledgement that their equipment is on my land and they have to ask me to gain access to it.

It gives me enormous satisfaction to know they are beholden to me in this way.

Silly, I know, but.............

SplittingDistant

Thanks for that really speedy reply - I'll bet the electricity company won't be that quick!

Thanks Again.

wecanhelpu

And if they bury the cable, they won't be as cheap as me either



good luck

Andybez38

If the pole was there before you moved in, why did it not put you off buying the property? How much do you think the value will increase by having the pole removed? Are you looking to resell and make a quick profit if they remove it.

SplittingDistant

Hi Andybez38,

It didn't put us off because we wanted the house. I have no idea how much the value would increase - thinking about it, it probably wouldn't actually increase the value , but having it gone might make it easier to sell, not that I want to sell anyway!

It's not a pylon or anything just a 30' wooden pole c/w guy wire, with 3 sets of wires coming off it.

I'm not going to lose any sleep if the pole stays there, but I'd like it gone if possible.