ESB and Gas Metering boxes

Has anyone else noticed that the ESB and Bord Gais are putting the most inappropriate looking metering cabinets on some very old buildings.

I have seen small terraced houses both in Dublin and Cork with large meter boxes fitted to the front walls.

Surely there’s a less horrible way of doing this ?
E.g. smaller boxes, in a less tacky looking material?
e.g. metal?

Any thoughts?