A retired animation artist has slammed BT Openreach for refusing to move a five-foot high internet cabinet from in front of her house.

Wendy Russell of Cedar Road, Sutton, woke to loud drilling on December, 10, 2010.

The engineers told her they were installing a new access cabinet, which would deliver a Super Fast Fibre internet service to residents in the area.

Mrs Russell contacted the council, but was told as the cabinets are permitted street furniture, there was nothing they could do.

On closer inspection of the cabinet Mrs Russell, 76, found the contractors had damaged her garden wall during installation.

She said: “Two and a half years ago I saved my pension until I had enough money to have part of my front wall rebuilt, and now it is damaged.

“The cabinet is three foot higher than my wall and obstructs the view from my front window. It’s an eyesore and more importantly, I am sure it lowers the value of the property.”

When she complained to BT, a representative visited the site, but confirmed the cabinet’s positioning met all permission and legal requirements.

She said: “The worst part is at the side of my house, I have a much higher brick wall which would have been a perfect place to site the cabinet.”

Cllr Jayne McCoy, Executive Member for Planning, Economic Development and Housing on Sutton Council, said “We completely understand Mrs Russel’s frustration, but national planning laws give utility companies permitted development rights, which mean that they can undertake a certain amount of development without planning permission.

"We are aware of the problems that this kind of development can cause, and will support affected residents in any way that we can.”

A spokesman for BT Openreach said: “Our planning department take into account many factors when deciding where to position these cabinets, including the practicalities of a cabinet needing electricity and any relevant local council legislation.”