By: MarkJ - 3 December, 2009 (8:15 AM) - Score: 5563 - Fixed Line Broadband
The local Haringey Council for Muswell Hill (North London) has ordered BT to move 20 of its new street-side cabinets, which are being used to trial the operators 'up to' 40Mbps next generation FTTC fibre optic broadband services in the area. BT has also been ordered to repaint them from Green to Black so that they fit better with the areas aesthetics.The situation follows an unusual outburst of anger by local residents during August (here). Many complained that the cabinets were both ugly, had no planning permission and blocked pavements for pedestrians as well as preventing car drivers from opening their nearside doors. The cabinets were apparently installed in a "conservation area".
A BT Spokesperson told The Register :
"As certain areas of Muswell Hill are designated as a conservation area, the planning process is far more complex; a small number of cabinets were installed in error without the specific level of planning consent needed for installations in these areas.
We are working through this issue with Haringey council, and are making good progress in finding alternative locations for a number of cabinets which were refused planning permission, to ensure that the maximum number of residents can benefit from access to super-fast broadband service."
"As certain areas of Muswell Hill are designated as a conservation area, the planning process is far more complex; a small number of cabinets were installed in error without the specific level of planning consent needed for installations in these areas.
We are working through this issue with Haringey council, and are making good progress in finding alternative locations for a number of cabinets which were refused planning permission, to ensure that the maximum number of residents can benefit from access to super-fast broadband service."
Much as we said in August, if residents of Muswell Hill feel the cabinets are too unattractive then I'm sure we could find a few thousand other locations around the country that would jump at the chance to trial FTTC. Personally we don't think the cabinets look all that bad. Sadly new homes have already been found for most of the cabinets, although there's a spot outside my house for one if BT should ever.. oh never mind.
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