Derbyshire Mother's Property Nightmare After Telegraph Pole Installation
A Derbyshire mother has expressed deep frustration and concern after a large telegraph pole was installed just two metres from her living room window without any prior consultation. Tracey Crarer, 51, who has lived in her Matlock home for three decades, now fears she cannot sell her property due to the imposing structure.
Sudden Installation Without Warning
Tracey returned from work one day in June last year to find workers had removed a fence panel and begun erecting the 26ft (8m) BT Openreach pole. She received no notification about the installation, despite it involving planning permission that typically requires neighbour consultation. The pole now looms over her property, with wires stretching across her back garden and decking nearly touching it.
"My house now feels like a fly trapped in a spider's web," said Tracey, who lives with her husband and two adult children. "I loved our house, we've been here since 1995, but now I hate it and I no longer want to be here anymore. But who is going to buy it now?"
Impact on Daily Life and Livelihood
The pole has severely affected Tracey's quality of life and her laundry business for holiday rentals. She can no longer enjoy views of Riber Castle, avoids opening windows due to a strong creosote smell, and keeps living room curtains closed to block the sight. Birds perching on the wires leave droppings on her decking and work sheets, impacting her livelihood.
"I can't open up my windows anymore due to the horrendous smell of creosote coming from it," she explained. "I loved sitting outdoors but now I would rather stay inside or just be at work seven days a week."
BT Openreach's Response and Local Support
After complaining, Tracey was told BT Openreach would not relocate the pole unless she paid the costs, estimated at thousands of pounds. She claims the company disputed her account without sending an engineer, handling the case via desktop review. The pole serves five other properties, none of which are hers.
Derbyshire county councillor Sue Burfoot is supporting Tracey, criticising the lack of consultation. "They have basically said, 'you don't matter, we don't care, we can do what we want and you can't do anything about it'," she remarked. "It is just bad practice. There is a clear loss of residential amenity."
A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, called the pole "a bit of an eyesore" and questioned the logic of placing it so close to a home.
Openreach's Statement
An Openreach spokesman stated: "We understand that whilst many people welcome investment in broadband upgrades, some don't like new poles in close proximity to their homes. We know our equipment can have a visual impact, so we always do our best to balance the aesthetics and engineering practicalities with making our network affordable and, above all, safe."
"We prioritise using our existing network wherever possible, and we always follow local planning rules. We only install new poles when there's no alternative."
Tracey remains distressed, arguing that alternative locations like a nearby alley or end of long gardens were available. She feels her rights to enjoy her home have been disregarded in favour of providing wi-fi to other households.
