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
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.
The boundaries are clearly marked on the land registry papers which were included in our deeds and we have a copy from when we purchased the house 33years ago. We have a wall that was built by the original builders set back one metre as agreed with local regs. We have plants and shrubs in the strip further along. The council have agreed they made the error and the strip of land does belong to us. In the meantime VM’s contractors have now come out and wired it up doh! even though it’s going to be moved. Roger you are talking a lot of rubbish…
complete rubbish - there are many private properties that fences or walls at the garden edge facing the road are not allowed by the council - certainly in my part of the world - its done so as to keep a uniform look to estates - people usually take not a blind bit of notice and councils tend not to enforce it but its there
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Forum TeamHi jenncr
Welcome to the Community Forums.
Sorry to hear of your concerns with a cabinet placement. The placement of cabinets are planned in advance alongside the local council, and it is the local council who will have granted permission to have the cabinet installed where it is placed. This is usually decided and agreed upon due to the cabling infrastructure that's already in place.
Have you spoken to your local council yet to dispute the placement? If so, do they also agree that this strip of land is within your property?
