BT Pole on my land

pramsay13

Robin9 wrote: »

It is rare for a BT pole to be on private land - they generally at the back edge of footpath.

Has the boundary moved ?

I have a pole on my land that serves the surrounding 5 or 6 houses.

After I'd bought the house I got a load of documents from the previous owners and one was a wayleave agreement.

Davesnave

If you think there's no wayleave in place and you object to the position the pole is in, then you should write to their Pole Objections Dept in York quoting the Telecommunications Act and giving them 28 days to remove/relocate it.

That's what I did, but only after a long period of getting nowhere by being polite. I also added a threat that I'd shift it myself if I didn't hear from them by the deadline. That worked.

However, I had the advantage of knowing that the pole was originally on someone else's land, that somehow they'd had it relocated onto my property after a lightning strike in 2007, and they'd done this without going through official channels at Openreach. The owner of my property at that time didn't notice.

The pole was eventually moved for free after about 6 months, though not back to it's original position, as the miscreant behind the illegal relocation had erected an outbuilding there. I could have had it shifted to the roadside, but that would have affected another neighbour's only decent view, so I had it placed where I wouldn't see it and collected the wayleave.

Davesnave

Robin9 wrote: »

It is rare for a BT pole to be on private land - they generally at the back edge of footpath.

Has the boundary moved ?

I know of many poles on private land near me. Hedgerows where they are often placed, or replaced, are owned by private individuals. Others stand in gardens and fields.

It's pretty normal in the countryside.

ProDave

YYDeckard wrote: »

That’s a great idea - how would I get that ball rolling ?

https://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/home/contactus/newhomes/newhomes.do

Fill in the "developers" form.

YYDeckard

That still applies even though the house is residential and for me ?

Sarah-J26

Along with other documentations you should get wayleave agreement as well. if there is not one BT must remove the Pole or provide you the proof of wayleave agreement. Thanks

TBagpuss

Robin9 wrote: »

It is rare for a BT pole to be on private land - they generally at the back edge of footpath.

Has the boundary moved ?

I think it varies. In my street, about half the posts are in gardens. I think it is because the poles are in a straighter line than the lane itself. Those of us as the 'top' end of the lane have larger front gardens, too. (and no, none of the boundaries have changed)

prowla

Davesnave wrote: »

If you think there's no wayleave in place and you object to the position the pole is in, then you should write to their Pole Objections Dept in York quoting the Telecommunications Act and giving them 28 days to remove/relocate it.

That's what I did, but only after a long period of getting nowhere by being polite. I also added a threat that I'd shift it myself if I didn't hear from them by the deadline. That worked.

However, I had the advantage of knowing that the pole was originally on someone else's land, that somehow they'd had it relocated onto my property after a lightning strike in 2007, and they'd done this without going through official channels at Openreach. The owner of my property at that time didn't notice.

The pole was eventually moved for free after about 6 months, though not back to it's original position, as the miscreant behind the illegal relocation had erected an outbuilding there. I could have had it shifted to the roadside, but that would have affected another neighbour's only decent view, so I had it placed where I wouldn't see it and collected the wayleave.

I was going to suggest that an unforseen lightning strike might suffice to get rid of it!

Davesnave

prowla wrote: »

I was going to suggest that an unforseen lightning strike might suffice to get rid of it!

Yes, but most of us don't have any way of ordering one of those.

I still have the pole. It's waiting to become a gate post.

YYDeckard

Good news (I think) - Got an email this morning -

"Dear Sir

Thank you for your request for a wayleave search. I can confirm that we do not hold a current agreement for apparatus at this location. Although we have no record of a wayleave this doesn!!!8217;t mean that we have no legitimate right to be there as our apparatus is afforded statutory protection under Schedule 2 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 and will, in most cases, be providing service to the local residents and businesses.

Therefore, given that we have no current agreement in place for our apparatus, we would now like to discuss and agree one with you at the earliest opportunity. Can I please ask that you click on the following link and go to !!!8220;Help with Wayleaves!!!8221; and click on !!!8220;Fill in this Form!!!8221;. A member of the wayleave team will then be in touch with you to discuss the position.

However, if you require to discuss the removal and/or relocation of apparatus, Openreach does offer a service via our Infrastructure Solutions team, where we can review any such request.

Please note this is a chargeable service and depending on the details may require a survey before we can confirm a solution to your request. Should you need more information on this service please contact the team on 0800 783 2023 option 1, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, by emailing or by completing our online form"

Next move ?