Council to take enforcement action issued over masts

IX Wireless said it was "not the only company that has been looking at installing street structures of this kind"

Enforcement action will be taken against a telecoms firm after equipment was installed in a town "without consent", a council has said.

Residents across Greater Manchester have complained to the local authorities about what they said were "intrusive" poles placed near homes by IX Wireless.

Bolton Council said the firm had installed antenna on poles in its area without consent, which meant enforcement was "the only option to intervene".

IX Wireless said they were investigating the complaints.

'Concerned for some time'

IX Wireless launched in 2017 to provide internet to towns across the North West.

Under planning regulations allowing "permitted development", firms can install poles up to 50ft (15m) tall without first getting permission.

However, planning consent is needed to install antennae on the poles.

Bolton South MP Yasmin Qureshi said she had been "concerned for some time" about IX Wireless's activities and had received complaints about poles and antennae put up in the town.

In a statement, a Bolton Council representative said the enforcement process was "presently under way and we have notified IX Wireless".

"I confirm all new infrastructure that utilises an antenna will be subject to prior approval, and to date the council has not received any applications from IX Wireless," they added.

An IX Wireless representative said the firm had a good relationship with the council and it was "investigating" the enforcement, which was about the "placing of a few poles".

"It must be noted we are not the only company that has been looking at installing street structures of this kind," they added.

"The industry is heavily regulated and all structures go through stringent tests and conform to industry and government standards."