Man's fury as 30ft broadband pole in front garden blocks view from his windows

24 February 2024 , 09:26

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Richard Carmichael is furious after a broadband pole was installed in front of his home (Image: Ben Lack Photography Ltd)

A landlord has been left "appalled" and "annoyed" after a 30ft broadband pole was planted in his front garden, ruining the view from his lounge and bedroom windows.

Richard Carmichael, 48, was surprised when his tenant told him someone had installed a pole in front of his home in Hull, East Yorkshire. The man, who runs a local garage, went to take a look and said he was "disgusted" by the installation of the pole.

Similar properties in the area are selling for £150,000 but Mr Carmichael has voiced fears that the two-bedroom home he bought in 2006 may now have been devalued by the pole. He said he asked broadband provider Connexin to remove the 10-inch wide trunk, but they have so far refused.

The landlord was 'appalled' to see the pole in front of the property (Ben Lack Photography Ltd)

Mr Carmichael said the pole ruined the view from his lounge and bedroom (Ben Lack Photography Ltd)

The homeowner told MailOnline: "I downloaded the deeds to my house and told them it was well within my boundary. But the firm fobbed me off saying it is well within a public service strip. The pole is taller than the house. It is 3m away from the end of the house.

"It might be worth £150,000 but it might be less with the pole, which is blocking the lounge and master bedroom window. It is about 10 inches wooden with creosote. It stinks of creosote."

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Mr Carmichael added that there are already two broadband networks in the street and neighbours are unlikely to switch to Connexin as they see no reason why the poles and wires cannot be buried as the other companies did. The man described the pole as "an eyesore" which made his front garden look "absolutely appalling".

The businessman, who is married and has children, said: "There are two other services there already. My thought was why cannot they use the infrastructure and go underground? It would save them putting a pole there in the first place." He added: "I am just appalled. I am just so annoyed about it being put there."

The homeowner said he was 'fobbed off' by the broadband company (Ben Lack Photography Ltd)

He also claimed he did not receive any letters from the company or council about the installation, and that there were only some "general" notices on the street lamps. Mr Carmichael said: "My tenant came back from work and it was there. There was no chance to stop it."

He said the company told him in an email: "We do not install poles within private property, only within the adopted public highway. The pole has been installed within a 'service strip' are. A 'service strip' is legally part of the public highway and is normally either pavement or part of the grass verge."

The installation, replacement, and alteration of some communications infrastructure is covered by permitted development rights (PDRs). The 2003 Regulations do not require broadband companies to consult with local residents, according to the House of Commons.

Companies can consult with residents but it is voluntary. The Mirror has contacted Connexin for comment.

Chiara Fiorillo