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But somehow, the driveway now has ended up with a telecommunications junction box bang in the middle!

Now a row has blown up over what should be done to sort out the mess.

Footprint Builders want to see it moved by Openreach, a division of BT, who installed it there several years after planning permission for the flats had already been granted.

Jon-Paul Chambers, Owner at Footprint Builders, pictured by the Fibre Optic Broadband Box, which has been built across the entrance to car parking meant to serve eight properties on West Road, in Moorends. Picture: NDFP-26-01-21-BroadbandBox 2-NMSY

But emails shown to the Free Press show that Openreach say they installed it after consulting Doncaster Council, and were never told that the proposed position had approval for a new site access, and there was no evidence on site from which they could have determined this themselves.

And Doncaster Council officials have said operators such as Openreach are able to install junction boxes without requiring planning permission.

Mike Hollick, managing director of Footprint Properties Ltd, has taken up the issue and is calling on Openreach to move the box.

He said: “BT say they put notification to Doncaster Council and didn’t hear anything back not to put it there. There was planning permission for the site since 2010.”

He said the footings of the site were already in place when it was installed.

"It feels like BT are blaming the council, and the council are blaming BT,” he said. “They are saying it would cost £35,000 to move it.

"It is very tight to get past it. You can get past but it’s only a few inches clearance.

“This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen. What would you do if you got home from work and they did this in front of your drive?”

The flats have been built on the site of the former Moorends library, at the junction of West Road and The Circle.

Openreach said in a statement: “A member of the team will make a further site visit and also check for any anomalies within the planning applications for both the cabinet and the development. We will do this as quickly as possibly so a solution can be found.”

Doncaster Council has been approached for comment.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

Row over telecoms box in the middle of driveway at Doncaster flats development

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.