The Victory
An elderly resident caught in a ‘David versus Goliath’ confrontation with a broadband provider has emerged triumphant as they have agreed to take down a 40ft structure erected near the end of his driveway without any prior discussion.
The Situation
Philip Waller, aged 65, was taken aback when he returned home to discover that Connexin had set up the pole merely 16 feet away from his living room bay windows.
This grandfather of ten from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, then dedicated the following weeks to collecting numerous complaint letters from his neighbors and voicing his grievances with the local council.
The Resolution
Initially met with resistance from the company, Waller persisted, and later, Barnsley Council acknowledged that the pole had been installed without the required approval and mandated its removal.
Homeowner’s Victory in Dispute over Broadband Pole
Philip was relieved as he won the battle against the supplier regarding the 40-foot broadband pole erected near his window. He expressed his concerns about the impact on the value of his £300,000 bungalow, stating, “It feels like a situation similar to ‘David and Goliath’.” He further added that if he hadn’t objected, the pole might have become a permanent fixture.
He highlighted his frustration with how companies tend to disregard people’s objections and force their way through. Voicing the need for the government to clarify its stance on allowing companies to place poles without restrictions.
An Unexpected Encounter
Philip, who works as a company director, had left his home for a shopping errand on May 30. During his absence, workers arrived at his house and informed his wife that they were there to install devices for monitoring water consumption. To their surprise, within a short span, they began erecting a massive pole merely six inches away from their window, causing immediate shock.
Homeowner’s Outrage as Broadband Firm Erects Pole Without Notice
Last week, Philip returned home from a shopping trip to discover that a broadband company had installed a pole right outside his house in Barnsley, South Yorks, without any prior warning. He expressed his frustration, stating that he was taken aback by the sudden installation.
He expressed concern about the pole’s proximity to his driveway and its potential impact on the value of his property. Philip felt that if left as is, the pole would devalue his house significantly.
Despite objections raised by Philip and his neighbors, Connexin, the broadband company, initially defended its decision to install the pole, citing permission from the local council. However, after further investigation, it was revealed that the company did not have the proper authorization to erect the pole.
Following intervention from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, the pole is now set to be removed within a fortnight and relocated to a more suitable area, away from residential properties.
Councilor’s Support
Councilor James Higginbottom, who spearheaded the resolution, emphasized the importance of proper procedures for infrastructure projects to avoid inconveniencing residents. He assured the community that steps are being taken to rectify the situation swiftly.
Philip encouraged other homeowners in similar situations to challenge unauthorized installations and seek clarification from local authorities. He advised vigilance when dealing with utility companies and urged individuals to verify permissions before allowing any infrastructure development on their properties.
Connexin has been approached for comments on the matter.