OPENREACH intends to build a series of telephone poles in the south of Edinburgh as part of its plans to build a full fibre network in Scotland’s capital.
Poles are set to be built in Moredun, Liberton, and The Inch.
Openreach submitted its plans to the City of Edinburgh Council in five separate planning applications, but these applications are considered a formality as Openreach does not require planning consent to erect telegraph poles.
Openreach has been expanding its full fibre coverage in the UK in recent years, with plans to deliver full fibre broadband to more than 25 million homes by 2026.
The company says that it tries to use underground ducts and existing poles where possible when upgrading its network, but that it is forced to erect new poles on occasion for full coverage.
Openreach says that its work has given the opportunity to more than 195,000 homes and businesses in Edinburgh to switch to full fibre.
In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, telegraph poles are considered “permitted development”, meaning they can be erected without permission of the local planning authority.
This is unless the poles are more than 15 metres tall, will obstruct a highway or are built on land privately or publicly owned and not managed by a local authority, in which case the landowner’s permission must be sought.
Openreach are also not required to consult with local residents, either.
Rather, they must simply provide 28 days’ notice of the erection of the pole to affected residents and local authorities.
If residents wish to object to the building of a pole, they are invited to write to the address provided on the poster attached to every pole.
An Openreach spokesperson said: “We’re building a full fibre broadband network in Edinburgh and more than 195,000 local homes and businesses can now upgrade.
“Wherever possible, we use existing poles and underground ducts in our upgrades. We try to keep new poles to a minimum, but sometimes we need them to make sure people aren’t left out.
“We always follow local planning rules whilst balancing engineering, cost and safety needs.
“Research shows most people would accept a new pole to deliver better broadband in their neighbourhood.”
The approximate location of each pole is given as follows:
20 metres south of 37 Craigour Drive, Moredun, Edinburgh.
25 metres northwest of 44 Glendinning Crescent, Edinburgh.
30 metres south of 36 Rutherford Drive, Edinburgh.
30 metres east of 534 Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh.
25 metres north of 530 Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh.
20 metres north of 102 Fernieside Crescent, Moredun, Edinburgh.
These poles will be erected on streets and in public parks in Liberton, Moredun, and The Inch.
It is not clear when works will start on the poles, but the applications were received by The City of Edinburgh on 10 October, meaning the 28 days’ notice period would expire on 7 November.
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