Inspector rejects ‘digital hub’ and defibrillator outside Wolverhampton railway station
An appeal over a decision to block a digital advertising board and defibrillator from being installed outside Wolverhampton railway station has been thrown out.
The move to install the 86 inch ‘digital hub’ on a pavement outside Wolverhampton railway station was rejected by City of Wolverhampton Council after it was deemed ‘bulky and obstructive’ and a ‘danger to pedestrians.’
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The hub would have included a defibrillator, free Wi-Fi and device charging.
The decision was appealed but a government planning inspector agreed with the council that it would be obstructive for pedestrians outside the busy station.
When rejecting the application, City of Wolverhampton Council had said the digital advertising board would be positioned in a “very prominent location … [that] would cause an obstruction and danger for pedestrians … particularly to those who are partially-sighted.”
The council added the ‘digital hub’ would “detract from the character and appearance of the gateway into and out of the railway station.”
The planning inspector Alexander O’Doherty agreed, saying the “bulky” hub would be out of character.
“Although retail outlets exist within the station, due to the absence of similar hub structures nearby and on the footway it would be out-of-character with the area.
“As a result of its large scale, the proposed hub would appear as a bulky and noticeably incongruous feature when seen from nearby viewpoints.
“In its prominent position in this gateway location, it would create visual clutter and would unduly detract from the appearance of the station.”
The inspector goes on to say that the hub would “cause obstructions for pedestrians in a very busy area.”
“It would cause a particular hazard for people in wheelchairs and the partially-sighted, who may have difficulties manoeuvring around it,” the inspector said in a report outlining the rejection.
“As such, it would increase the risk of collision between pedestrians.”
The refurbished station opened in June 2021 – a year later than planned – as part of the £150m work to build a rail, tram and bus interchange in the city centre.
The council’s planners said in their decision: “The railway station and its frontage have recently undergone a multi-million-pound, major scheme of improvement works.
“This includes the provision of an attractive and welcoming plaza area, where there is significant pedestrian flows and interchange of movement between the metro stop, the railway station, city centre and wider surroundings.
“The proposed multi-functional unit is bulky and large in scale.
“It would be arbitrarily positioned in a very prominent location, between the railway station buildings and the metro tram lines, forming unacceptable visual clutter, unacceptably detracting from the character and appearance of the gateway into and out of the railway station.
“The unit would also impede a key pedestrian walkway, causing an obstruction and danger for pedestrians, at this interchange point, particularly to those who are partially sighted.”
A statement included with the application by In Focus Networks and JCDecaux said: “The hub supports the aim of using smart technology to declutter our streets and reduce unnecessary furniture.”
