When a new broadband pole went up outside Richard Howard's Stockport home this month, his first thought was drastic - to up sticks and move to a different area.
The Woodsmoor resident says there are already plenty of internet providers available, with "no need" for more poles on the street.
But his road is one of the hundreds around the borough hosting Brsk broadband masts. According to a freedom of information request to Stockport council, shared on whatdotheyknow.com in November last year, Brsk has installed more than 170 broadband poles around Stockport, more than double that of competitor Openreach. READ MORE: Life in the Greater Manchester town with a TWELVE year housing wait And since September 2024, hundreds of new planning applications have been made to the council for more, many of which are likely to be granted through permitted development rights.
Councils currently have little to no power to stop these poles being installed, and the situation has left people like Mr Howard with no way of fighting back.