MORE than 200 residents and 60 businesses have been left without TV, broadband or a working landline following a legal dispute with a property company that has links to billionaire tycoon Nicholas Hoogstraten.

Residents in the Church Road area of Hove have had no Virgin Media supply since early July and blame the provider for not fixing a faulty cabling box.

But Virgin says it has had to negotiate access to the cabinet which borders private property.

The Argus understands the length of the outage centres around a demand that Virgin pay a four-figure sum to access the box.

Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed it has been involved in "extensive legal correspondence" over whether the box was on private property or not.

According to the council the issue has now been resolved, and Virgin now has permission to move the box to avoid further issues.

The freehold of the site is owned by Hamilton Property Holdings.

Notorious businessman Mr Hoogstraten resigned as a director of Hamilton in 2003 under his alias Nicholas Adolf Von Hessen.

His son, Rhett Hamilton, 30, is now listed as a director.

The agent for the property, City Estates, confirmed Mr Hoogstraten owned the freehold.

Mark Salmon of City Estates said: “Virgin have got utilities on another person’s property. Of course they should pay.”

Amanda Tines-Mitchell, 46, whose parents live in Norton Road, said: “Both my parents are old-age pensioners – they don’t have mobile phones.

“It’s disgusting that Virgin has not sent out letters or anything. They don’t seem to care.

“I’m worried about those who haven’t got family to help them."

Another nearby resident, Iain Holland, 65, of Ventnor Villas, lives with his 89-year-old mother who relies on a Careline pendant connected to her phone line.

Mr Holland said: “If she had a serious fall it could be life-threatening. She has not had TV either which, for an old lady, is depressing.

“Virgin hasn’t been very helpful either – the whole thing’s been a shambles.”

The Argus: The side of 105 Church Road, on the corner of Norton Road, Hove.  Picture: Liz Finlayson

The dark green junction box sits on the wall of 105 Church Road, on the corner of Norton Road.

A Virgin Media spokesman said: “We thank local residents for their patience with these disruptions. We’d also like to thank the local council for helping us find a location for a new cabinet.”

Mr Hoogstraten did not respond to The Argus's request for comment.