Statement on BT Openreach

Every developer in Kensington and Chelsea must have regard to our historic streetscapes and listed buildings.

We expect developers, including utilities like BT, to work with us to find suitable solutions to ensure that our environment is protected.

BT was seeking permission for 108 cabinets, many of them in sensitive locations. It would not compromise on the number, or on the design.

It would not use sites that already had unused BT equipment and it would not consider putting the equipment underground or any other method.

We regret that BT are not proceeding with superfast broadband in the Royal Borough but virtually the whole borough is already covered by superfast broadband with Virgin, who obviously appreciate the very valuable market the borough represents.

Virgin have been able to do this without ruining our historic streetscape. They will also consider extending to the few streets they do not already cover in the borough if demand is there.