Peak District community broadband provider gets back up to speed after four-year planning dispute resolved
and live on Freeview channel 276
In 2017 a consortium of four businessmen and farmers invested £120,000 in an antenna to serve their company, Derbyshire Broadband, on the understanding it would be permitted under the necessary regulations.
Just a few months later however, the company received a letter informing them they had breached planning controls and had 28 days to remove the antenna – essentially a 3.5-metre scaffolding pole on the moor at Cown Edge farm near Chunal.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBy this time, it was already providing a vital link to around 500 users including businesses, caravan parks and home workers, who would have been left with little alternative if the company did not fight on their behalf.
Founder Collin Hanson-Orr said: “We did this because nobody else was going to. We were the people who are now our customers, and were, are, and will remain a community project.”
Various solutions were proposed and rejected in protracted negotiations, while Derbyshire Broadband had to pause any new investment – even when the pandemic saw a surge in demand from potential domestic customers.
As the situation approached the four-year mark, when the antenna would become legal by default, the threat of enforcement intensified and so the company turned to High Peak MP Robert Largan for help to mediate between the two parties and call on Government ministers for support. The pressure finally paid off and a mutually agreeable solution was found.
Advertisement
Hide AdColin said: “I am delighted to thank Brian Taylor, head of planning at the Peak park, and especially our MP. They have genuinely provided the impetus to end the nightmare that has had our service on hold.”
Advertisement
Hide AdNow that the company’s future is on a secure footing, the company is offering fixed wireless and 4G connections with download speeds up to 100 MB to more poorly served areas than ever before – where non-fibre rural solutions from major UK providers offer download speeds as low as 0.5 MB.
Colin said: “We have dug deep again and again in restructuring and improving our service to the extent that we are now able to recommence operations and begin to bring the service to many not-spots.
“We are now ready to accept orders for the supply of superfast broadband within the Peak park and beyond.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAs part of a campaign to improve rural broadband, Mr Largan is currently running a constituent survey to identify the areas with the biggest issues.
He said: “The Peak District’s unique geography means we have some of the worst coverage blackspots in the entire country.
Advertisement
Hide Ad“I am raising this issue in Parliament constantly, urging ministers to speed up the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and boost mobile coverage to the hardest-to reach places.”
To take part in the survey, go to robertlargan.co.uk/broadbandsurvey.
Advertisement
Hide AdFor more information on Derbyshire Broadband services, see derbyshirebroadband.co.uk.