Frustrated residents have won the fight to remove a controversial BT broadband cabinet fitted in their village square.

The green cabinet, which is designed to provide fibre-optic broadband to 470 homes, was placed in the middle of Hadlow’s conservation area at the end of January.

Residents complained it was an inappropriate location and the phone company has now agreed to move it to a new site by the end of March.

Richard Jones, from the organisation’s high level complaints management department, wrote to Tonbridge and Malling MP Sir John Stanley last week to confirm the move.

His letter said: “I appreciate the concern expressed over the position of the new superfast broadband cabinet.

“I’ve looked into this matter and the good news is we’ve found an alternative location.

“Having seen the impact this has had on the local area we have reviewed the situation.

“We recently visited the site with George Chandler from Kent County Council to identify an alternative location which suits everyone involved.

“Whilst the relocation of Openreach apparatus is not a simple or quick process, we anticipate this to be completed by the end of March.”

The precise spot for re-location has not yet been confirmed.

Cllr Jill Anderson, a conservative representative for Hadlow, Mereworth and West Peckham, said: “I thought it was a ridiculous place to put it- in the middle of the Conservation Area, blocking the views of anyone sitting on the seat, interfering with the bus stop and totally out of place.

“We aren’t sure yet exactly when it will disappear but I hope during this month.

“The problem is that BT have Permitted Development Rights and can put their gear where they like, only telling the Borough Council what is happening and not allowing for comments.

“Following this case, I have asked the Borough Council to comment on sites anyway, especially if they fall within sensitive areas such as in Conservation Areas or outside Listed Buildings.”

Sir John Stanley, MP for Tonbridge and Malling, added: “I am very pleased indeed that they have agreed to move it because it’s a very unsightly disfigurement in the centre of Hadlow.

“I am pleased that he has said that they are going to identify an alternative location which suits everybody involved which is a fine statement of principle but the test will be what is the alternative.

“I trust that they will be proper consulting with people as to where it should be.”