Bury: success after ‘eyesore’ telecoms pole relocated

Johnny Gupta, who owns the Lime Tree on Bury Old Road in Prestwich, has been actively working on getting the pole moved since it was placed around 20cm away from the wall of the restaurant earlier this year by telecommunications company, IX Wireless.

The restaurateur set about contacting the company when it was installed in March but was initially told that the mast could not be moved or taken down.

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He said: “When they first installed the mast without any prior acknowledgement, the poor location meant that I couldn’t take pictures of my building, do painting or scaffolding.

“I’ve been toing and froing with IX for months and they finally agreed to move the pole to the end of the building.”

The pole was first installed in March this year outside the Bury Old Road restaurant (Image: supplied)

Johnny also contacted Bury Council but they could not offer support due to current government planning guidelines.

Telecommunications companies do not need permission from councils to erect the masts and are not subject to the typical application or consultation process for building work.

“I wasn’t asking for it to be moved to someone else’s property, just to be a bit less intrusive”, he continued.

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“I’ve been part of this community for more than 16 years now and work hard to make the building look presentable.

“If we have to have the pole outside then fine but it would have been nice if they had the respect and decency to speak to us first.

Owner Johnny Gupta successfully communicated with IX Wireless to have the pole moved to the end of the building (Image: supplied)

“A lot of people are surprised at this outcome but it’s because I stood my ground and actively challenged it, rather than just moaning and groaning and doing nothing.

“I know it’s not the worst thing to happen and that there are much worse things happening in the world but this was a matter of principle for me.”

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He estimates that the additional work has cost the wireless company “about an extra £3,500” and that they “could have saved the money by simply communicating with him in the first place”.

He added: “It about the little things, about standing up in a correct and professional way using integrity, scrupulous, morals and decency.

“I’m glad that common sense has prevailed and that IX have worked with me to find a positive solution.”

IX Wireless has been contacted for comment.