B4RN has ambitious plans to bring full Fibre to the Home (FTTH) to around 1300 homes across a number of parishes in Lancashire. They have just announced that enough interest in the project has been expressed in these areas such that they can go ahead onto the next stage of the project.
The funding for much of the work is set to come from people buying shares in the community led scheme, which will be available from 15th December. The same day sees a launch event happening at The Storey, Lancaster at 2pm. The shares are being made available under the Enterprise Investment Scheme that allows for 30% tax relief on investments between £100 and £20,000.
B4RN hope to get the core network dug during the next three months (weather permitting) after which time the first users will start to be connected. It is already encouraging people in the area to sign up for a service subscription.
The timescales B4RN are operating to mean that it should be up and running well before any BDUK/County Council led scheme, which as they are much larger projects have much more paperwork and red tape.
Wish them the best in getting the financing sorted! Not going to be an easy task...