HIGH-SPEED broadband could be a pipe dream for residents on a Colchester estate after plans for an internet exchange were refused again.

BT has had permission for an equipment cabinet turned down twice by Colchester Council.

The council said the site, at the junction of Circular Road South and Abbey Field View, was in a conservation area and would make the pavement narrower.

Residents of Churchill Gate estate, in Abbey Field, have launched a campaign to improve internet speeds.

Don Graham, 45, who plans to collect a petition, said: “It beggars belief. It is the 21st century, yet we are going without for the want of a small cabinet.

“The council makes such a song and dance about the web. It’s just ridiculous it won’t allow it to go through.”

Other reasons listed for refusal include not enough detail on the impact of underground cables on nearby trees.

The residents’ campaign has been backed by ward councillor Pauline Hazell. She said: “Fast broadband speeds are very important to people, for business as well as personal use.

“The council has been championing having better broadband facilities across the borough and I find it puzzling this area should be excluded from the service. Residents there will be seriously disadvantaged.”

BT said it had not been able to find a suitable location and had had to defer the application until it did.

A council spokeswoman said BT was welcome to discuss planning issues further with officers.

She said four super-fast broadband exchanges using fibre optic are being opened in Colchester Town, East Bay, Wivenhoe and Tiptree.

She said the council was working with the private sector to bring faster mobile speeds to the town centre and faster broadband in urban and rural areas using wireless broadband.

l An Essex County Council project to roll out super-fast broadband to 90 per cent of the county by 2015 has been approved by Government. The council is seeking residents’ views before deciding on a supplier and areas for upgrade. To register your views, visit essex.gov.uk/rural broadband