Broadband box siting prompts security concerns

A RESIDENT of a Barnsley conservation zone says he is concerned for the security of his home, after a BT Openreach box was installed by his garden fence – giving potential intruders access to his flat roof and upstairs windows.

Richard Harrison, who lives in a 17th century converted barn in Carlton’s conservation zone, has been in contact with Barnsley Council and Openreach about the box, which backs on to his fence and flat roof.

When investigating why a box had been installed so close to his wall and fence, he discovered that Openreach notified BMBC that they would place the box on Royston Lane, which is outside of the conservation area and around 100 yards from the address on the notification form.

Openreach, however, dispute this claim, and state that the box is correctly sited.

Although individual boxes do not require planning permission, they are subject to a general permitted development order, meaning a number of conditions should be met.

A spokesperson for Openreach said it had no plans to move the cabinet.

The spokesperson said: “We’ve looked into Mr Harrison’s concerns extensively and are satisfied that the cabinet in question is correctly sited on public land and meets all planning regulations.”

Councillor Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “Openreach didn’t require permission to install the box outside of Mr Harrison’s property as it was installed within permitted development rules.

“As a result, we had no say over its location,” he said.