I’m hoping for some advice especially from the two lovely solicitors on the forum. But all comments are welcome of course.

I built a house just over a year ago, and part of the plans included planting a hedge along the front boundary however, British Telecom want to dig up my front garden to install an underground box (have forgotten the correct name for it) but obviously once they have an underground box they can at a later date make it an above ground box.

The thing is, I have already had a run in with BT, but if I plant a hedge (which will be 2m from the road) will BT be legally entitled to plant their box in front of the hedge and claim this space as public as it will look like a council verge. Does any f this make sense?
The plot is in a conservation area, but my understanding is even that doesn’t stop BT from building these chambers.

Thank you.

BB, as you are in a conservation area BT can't use above ground junction boxes which is why they want to dig a hole. However, why do they want to dig the hole in your garden? The fact that you would plant a hedge inside your boundary does not move the actual boundary of your property and BT can not install any equipment except with your permission. You could turn this to your advantage though - how much would they pay for the disturbance and how much annual rent would they pay? Worth a thought...

The people who lived here before us had a telegraph pole removed from the back garden and swapped it for an under ground box. Although it was at the home owners request (it looks better) BT still gave them some money for disturbance.

Thanks for the replys, we used to have two poles in the garden, then the cable went across the road, but because the wire was sagging below the legal limit across the road BT wanted to put a third pole in my garden, I said no, so they were forced to take the cable underground along the road. I think that is why they would like an underground box in my garden.

I am worried because BT turned up with a digger with out my permission so I do wonder what rights they have.