Received a phonecall from DM this morning, she's not happy. She's been chatting to her NDNs, who are having major renovation works carried out to their house over the summer. The works include renewal of the electricity supply to the house, for which NDNs have been liaising with Western Power Distribution. The supply to both houses is via an overhead wire, which is routed from a telegraph pole to NDN's house, and then overhead between the two houses to Mum's. For whatever reason, NDN's supply is going to be renewed and swapped for an underground cable.
During the conversation, NDN happened to mention to DM about the renewal of Mum's electricity supply, and the fact that it would mean digging across her land so that an underground cable could be routed. After a minute of "what do you mean?" / "haven't WPD been in touch about it?" type exchanges, it transpires that WPD have decided that while they are renewing NDN's supply, they are also going to renew Mum's and change it to an underground supply as well.
DM has phoned WPD, who have confirmed their intention to switch DM to an underground supply. This will involve either:
- digging a trench from the road to the house, either along the lawn and then across the driveway or along the driveway (approx 30m, long garden!); or
- digging directly across from NDN's house, which will involve uprooting an established raised bed and retaining wall and crossing the driveway.
DM's concern is that:
- the works will damage her driveway, and even if they reinstate the block paving there will be a line where the trench was dug
- damage to the lawns
- settlement of the ground, leaving sunken areas where the trench was dug
- damage to the raised bed and demolition of the retaining wall
Apparently, works are scheduled to start in less than two week's time. No-one from WPD has been in touch about this, and it was only as a result of chatting over the fence that DM got to hear about it 
DM is very annoyed by their lack of communication over this. More to the point, she does not actually want them to start interfering with her electricity supply and trashing her garden! The WPD lady seemed quite astonished that DM would want to object to the works, and has agreed to a site meeting next week to review the options.
It seems that the renewal of Mum's supply has only been triggered by the NDN's works, and if that wasn't happening WPD would be content to leave the supply alone (i.e. it's not life expired or a safety issue, etc, that's causing the work to be required).
Does anyone know whether she has the right to refuse this work? Or can WPD carry out the work regardless?