'They are terrorising our area... when I saw it my first thought was to move'

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.

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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. It means the pole planted on October 21 now towering over his back garden looks likely to stay put.

"They are terrorising our area of Stockport, erecting new poles under the premise of improving infrastructure," the frustrated resident said. "I’m confident that everyone in our area has good internet and they have no research to justify the need for additional poles.

"They have this week put up a pole right outside my house without consultation as to where it would go."

Mr Howard added that he had complained, but has been unable to reach a resolution.

When Brsk staff knocked on his door last year to ask about his internet needs, he told the Manchester Evening News (M.E.N.) he let them know he has no interest