went outside this morning to discover a box has been installed on my property instead of on the path, we were not asked for consent and there is no logical reason to put it on our land. Others in the road are on the path. Does anyone have contact info for the correct department as the automated answering of the phone line is absolute xxxx. There is no identifying box number. tx
Virginmedia don't publish contact numbers for their construction contractors.
Your best bet is to mention the postcode here and wait for a VM person to pick it up and pass a message
Thank you, Post code is RG12 8LZ. A neighbour has caught the contractors vehicle, including reg number, on her door cam… they were gone within 40 mins and sped off fast… they knew they shouldn’t have done it.
I had one placed outside a previous house of mine as well, but in that instance, it was located just in front of the wall, still on public land. These installations don’t require planning permission—something allowed under policies introduced by a previous government.
In your case, however, it appears to be on your property. You may need to have it relocated or consider negotiating a rental agreement for the land it's on.
Are you sure on the boundary line for your property?
yes, my boundary is up to the edge of the path, I checked my deeds.
The cabinet is on a service strip, which is usually part of the public highway, and owned by the council. Some residents take it upon themselves to cut the grass on the service strip directly outside their property to keep it tidy - but it's not legally their land.
Looking the photo, is that a “Water” marking on the footpath? It could be pipes under where the cabinet should be?
Green paint, so telecoms not water. Looks very like "VM" on two sides of the manhole, and lines running both sides. May be more digging soon.
Main utility lines typically run under the highway or public footway (preferred) and service connections branch from the main to properties, so what you say is no evidence that the service strip belongs to you. Also deeds don't show the exact legal boundary line to the millimetre, especially when it comes to verges like these.
And here's a further thought: if you actually own the land but failed to fence it off for 33 years, then you've probably lost ownership or exclusive rights through adverse possession or highway adoption. You are not going to win this argument with VM and the council.
