Plans for new BT Street Hub in Rugeley town centre appealed following refusal
Plans for a new BT Street Hub in Rugeley town centre have been appealed following the decision of Cannock Chase District Council to refuse permission due to the impact on the conservation area.
BT planned to remove the current telephone box on Upper Brook Street and replace it with the new interactive hub.
The new smart hub would provide ultrafast public wifi, free phone calls and be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. It would have been funded by the use of advertising on two screens and 10 per cent of the advertising would have been given to the council for free.
The planning statement said: “BT Street Hubs have the potential to significantly enhance the provision of local community communications facilities and services. It is precisely the type of high speed digital infrastructure that the government is seeking to support as part of the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
“It will deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits by providing a suite of essential urban tools/services, including free ultrafast Wi-Fi to residents, businesses and visitors in this area. Overall BT Street Hubs will help future proof the high street making them smarter, safer, and more sustainable through their adaptable design and function.
“The proposed BT Street Hub structures are of a high quality, accessible design that would be a significant improvement when compared to the existing payphone kiosks. Modern signage which is interactive and multi-faceted in its use has become more acceptable on the street scape due to its functionality, clean and modern look.”
However, planning officers at the district council raised concerns over ‘visually prominent’ display and the impact on the town centre conservation area. The application was refused as the proposal would fail to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the area.
Planning officers said: “Whilst the removal of the payphone box would represent a minor visual improvement, the replacement with a structure of this scale, height, and illuminated advertisement display would result in a visually prominent and incongruous addition within the streetscene.
“The existing payphone box contains one advertisement not of a digital format, and the proposed contains two large LCD screens. When considered alongside existing street furniture and nearby infrastructure, the proposal would contribute to a sense of visual clutter, thereby failing to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Rugeley Town Centre Conservation Area.”
BT have now appealed the decision with the planning inspectorate.
The appeal will be decided by written representations and a decision is expected later this year.
