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Submit plansHello,
Can you offer any advice on wayleave issue with electricity and telephone lines on my plot?
I have recently bought a steading with planning permission to convert to house. I need to re-route my neighbours electricity supply that runs over the top of the building.
I’ve contacted SSE who are the DNO. They have Quoted £7.5k to put the cable 75m underground if I dig trench, duct it, and infill. It involves replacing a pole that they claim needs additional stay. There is no wayleave on my property and the supply isn’t for my property. my property gets its supply overhead separately from the same pole.
I need the supply moved that’s certain, and I would prefer my supply to also go underground while I’m doing the works. However, do I have any legal ammunition in my favor that I can use to reduce the cost – I.e. its not my supply and there is no wayleave?
I also have the same issue with a BT line, but I haven’t got a quote from them yet – again no wayleave.
The wires would have been run when the steading was in the same ownership as the neighbours. Both properties were sold off separately.
The length of the underground lines would be approx. 75m.
£7.5k seems a bit much for 75m of 3c185mm² wavecon mains cable and a terminal pole if i’m doing the groundworks, especially as its not my supply. I did however ask them to put mine underground at the same time as this is the obvious thing to do.
Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks and regards
Gordon Robertson
Hi Gordon,
I’ve forwarded your query to one of our experts, who should be in touch soon with his advice.
For any general advice on services, head to https://www.self-build.co.uk/services-on-site
Andrew (Build It’s Digital Assistant Editor)
I am afraid that this enquiry is more relevant to a lawyer than a surveyor as you are effectively querying the right that your neighbour has to enjoy an electrical (and a separate BT) supply to their property within the airspace above your house.
My own view is that if this was now being proposed you would have every right to prevent your neighbour from negotiating an overhead supply across your property to service their dwelling. However, you have recently acquired your property and, as far as I can determine, the overhead supply was already in position.
One would assume therefore that consent much have been agreed as a result of both properties being in common ownership prior to the two recent sales.
I would suggest that you have no right of recovery for contributory costs for providing these services underground; but you may be able to appeal to the good nature of your neighbour for some form of contribution.
My experience with utility companies is that their fees are generally negotiable and if you feel that their quoted sum is too much then I would tackle the matter directly with them as it may lead to some form of reduction.
Tim Doherty (Build It expert)