Decision taken over BT 'street hubs' planned for Shrewsbury

Plans for two BT ‘digital street hubs’ in Shrewsbury have been rejected.

Shropshire Council has turned down two applications from the telecommunications giant for the structures - one on Barker Street, and another on Whitchurch Road.

The units, which would have been three metres tall and more than a metre wide, would have featured digital screens showing adverts on either side.

• You can find out more about planning applications and planned roadworks where you live by visiting publicnoticeportal.uk/shropshire-star.

BT said the hubs would also “support the telephone and wi-fi coverage of the area”.

But Shropshire Council’s planning department has rejected application for both hubs.

The Barker Street proposal would have been located on the pavement next to the Barker Street Car Park, and the Whitchurch Road hub would have been placed on the corner where Whitchurch Road meets Harlescott Lane.

But the Barker Street plan has fallen foul of planners over its potential impact on Shrewsbury’s historic landscape, while the Whitchurch Road proposal has been rejected over concerns about its impact on highway safety.

A report detailing the Barker Street verdict said: “The proposed BT Digital Street Hub, by reason of its scale, height, illuminated design and prominent position on Barker Street, would appear as an intrusive and visually dominant feature within the Shrewsbury Conservation Area.

“The development would introduce harmful visual clutter and detract from the character and appearance of the historic streetscape, including the setting of nearby designated and non-designated heritage assets and surrounding listed buildings.

“As a result, the proposal would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area and would cause less than substantial harm to the significance of heritage assets which is not outweighed by public benefits.”

A report on the Whitchurch plan said: “The proposed BT Street Hub, by reason of its siting adjacent to the highway carriageway and in close proximity to a busy and sensitive road junction on Whitchurch Road, would adversely affect highway safety.

“The structure would restrict visibility for highway users and, by virtue of its illuminated digital advertising displays, would introduce an unnecessary distraction to drivers at a location with a recorded history of traffic collisions.

“As a consequence, the proposal would result in an unacceptable risk to the safe and efficient operation of the highway network and is therefore contrary to policy.”

BT had said: “The installation of the proposed Street Hub unit forms part of a strategic plan for the removal of existing, outdated BT payphones and adapting to contemporary demands across the country.”