I'd have though if its currently TPON wouldn't they also have to overlay copper too.. which may mean new copper back to the exchange potentially.. and more dosh needed! Depends what the infrastructure is around there I guess.
But that sucks.. and I feel for you.
Having good broadband is really a necessity for many.
I was walking down that way not to long ago, and as I am a sad geek I often keep my eyes out for how far FTTC/P etc has got around Bedford.
We managed to get funding from the developers to put in an AIO cab (I am assuming at this point) although I'd love them just to got FTTP or possibly FTTPrn as theres around 63 homes on the development. We have FTTC but distance is an issue so below 24Mb speeds. (And of course compared to some thats great, but less than 50m away the developments all get FTTP, they apparently forgot this development, which was left without any phone lines at all for about 5-6months!)
Have you tried speaking to VM ? (since they already have a footprint there)
Or someone like Gigaclear etc. If you have enough people behind it and they are willing to pay then you may stand a chance of them building out their networks there.
Also have you got our MP involved ? If not its worth a try, he helped add some weight in our case.
Hope you get some progress soon though.
Regards PGre