Revival of ‘Holkham estate’ in disarray due to poor internet service

The revival of Longlands, one of Norfolk’s country estates, is prevented due to non availability of adequate broadband service.

The 25,000 acre Holkham estate has spent not less than GBP 50,000 for its renovation hoping to attract businesses, but slow internet connection has played havoc.

Holkham is located on the North Norfolk Coast. Holkham Hall is across the coast road. It is the home of the Coke family. It is a Palladian style mansion.

According to Viscount Coke, the estate owner, the rural area is badly affected due to unemployment among the youth. He would be pleased to put an end to it. He wants the presence of business communities in the region. In short he wants to change the face of it. Unfortunately the business folks are not interested to invest in the area. The main reason is the poor communication connectivity.

Lord Coke is in favor of the ‘Say Yes to Better Broadband’ campaign which is hoped to bring Norfolk in level with the rest of the country in fast connectivity.

David Horton-Fawkes, the director of the estate remarked that the estate is ideal for tourism, retail and property development businesses. But without modern communication facilities nothing is possible. In fact, the authorities must give importance to broadband connection as much as they do for water and electricity.

The place is so located that the main means of communication is through internet. When that is much below the standard there is absolutely no chance to access the rest of the world.

The objective of ‘Better Broadband for Norfolk’ is to make available 30 Mbps broadband to most of the county and at least 2 Mbps to all in the county by 2015.

Public funding of about GBP 30 million is already sanctioned.

The ‘Say Yes campaign’ initiated jointly by EDP and Norfolk County Council is concentrating on private investment for the scheme.