Residents irritated after a BT exchange box appeared in the centre of a conservation area have won their fight to have it moved in less than a week.

The Kent Messenger reported last week how the large green cabinet, which is designed to give fibre-optic broadband to homes, had been placed in the middle of a seating area in Aylesford village square.

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch (Con) wrote to the company’s chief executive Gavin Patterson to ask if it could be moved to a less obtrusive site.

She wrote: “Residents in the area are unable to paint their doors or replace their windows without it being done in respect of the special status of the area, nor is anyone allowed a satellite dish on their roof.

“For BT to put a large green box in the square has upset residents, especially since there are suitable alternatives available.”

But in a quick about-turn, BT confirmed to the KM six days later it had agreed to move it.

A BT spokesman said it had been installed correctly and the right processes were followed.
New equipment has to be sited near the existing copper network and underground services.

A BT spokesman: “However, having seen the impact this has had on the local area, we have reviewed the situation. We recently visited the site to identify an alternative location which suits everyone involved. We are currently carrying a full technical survey for the alternative location.”

A delighted Miss Crouch said: “Thank goodness common sense has prevailed and BT recognises that it was wrong to plonk their green monster in the middle of the village square. Views from the parish and borough council were completely ignored as was the national guidance on where to place these boxes.

“Hopefully they will put it somewhere more discreet and move it quickly so that the eyesore within Aylesford’s conservation area is gone.”

Last week we also reported how people living in Hadlow also won their fight to get a similar cabinet removed from their village square, which is also a conservation area.

BT is not required to have planning permission to fit the boxes because it has permitted development rights.