IX Wireless face 'enforcement action' after putting up poles without permission

Enforcement action is being taken against controversial telecoms firm IX Wireless after a council claimed they have installed equipment ‘without consent’. In recent months, several Greater Manchester councils have received complaints about ‘intrusive’ IX Wireless poles , some of which have been put up in residential areas next to homes.

Bolton Council said that the firm has installed antenna on the poles ‘without consent’ leaving them with ‘enforcement as the only option to intervene’. IX Wireless was launched in 2017 to provide internet connection to towns across the north west and beyond. Under a planning law known as ‘permitted development’, companies can install ‘telegraph poles’ up to 15 metres tall without first getting permission from councils.

There is no legal requirement for a consultation period with local residents or businesses. However, planning consent is needed to install antennae on the poles.

Bolton South MP Yasmin Qureshi has said she has been ‘concerned for some time’ about the activities of IX Wireless and has received many complaints about poles and antennae popping up across Bolton without prior warning. She has published a response she received from Bolton Council which revealed that action is being taken against the firm.

A spokesman for the council, said: “‘IX Wireless erected the poles as permitted development and then later installed the antenna, without consultation or consent from the council. Prior approval cannot retrospectively be applied for, so that has left the council with enforcement as the only option to intervene.

“I confirm that the enforcement process is presently underway, and we have notified IX Wireless. I also confirm that all new infrastructure that utilises an antenna will