Seven smart hubs at Locations At Old Bridge Street, Truro

What was proposed

Seven multifunctional smart hubs with digital screens, touchscreens, public information, communications, advertising, Wi-Fi, emergency facilities and health support were proposed.

“The smart hubs are multi-functional units comprising two large digital screens capable of displaying moving advertisements. The side of each smart hub also contains a user interface with touchscreen.”

“The smart hubs have a range of features, including the provision of digital information, advertising (including free community advertising), communication, public WI-FI, free phone calls, phone charging functionality, emergency health support and contact including a built in defibrillator, built in nasal naloxone opiod antagnoist (used for the emergency treatement of drug…”

Officer report

The sites and design

The units would be dark grey, black and red structures measuring 2.54 metres high, placed across seven Truro locations.

“The proposal is for the installation of 7 ‘’Smart hubs’ with integrated digital screens at 7 locations in Truro. (Locations at Old Bridge Street, City Road, Newquay Road, Pydar Street, Lemon Quay, Station Road and Treyew Road in Truro)”

“Each unit measures 2.54m high, 1.28m wide and 0.35m deep and is constructed using dark grey anodised metal, black and clear laminated glass with a textured fibreglass coasted finish in black and red. The digital screen on either side measures 1.66m by 0.93m.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the hubs were considered compatible with the townscape, heritage assets, residential amenity and highway safety, subject to conditions.

“When considering the context of the proposed locations, scale of the proposed hubs and relationship with listed buildings (Old Bridge Street and Pydar Street hubs), it is adjudged that the impact of the proposed development on the significance of the heritage assets would be neutral. Should the decision maker consider that there is evidence of some harm in this respect this would need to be weighed against the public benefits brought by the proposals.”

“Therefore it is considered that the proposal accords with the development plan and there are no material reasons which would suggest that permission should not be granted. It is recommended for approval subject to the attached conditions. All other matters raised have been taken into account, including the comments of the City Council and Electoral Division Members but none is of such significance as to outweigh the considerations that have led to the conclusion.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

The City Council and three objectors raised concerns about historic character, street clutter, design, lighting, maintenance, conservation and listed buildings.

“Electoral Division Members: The application encompasses sites within three adjoining Electoral Divisions within Truro. The application has been called to Planning Committee at the request of two of the Electoral Divisional Members, Councillors Rich and Webb, as the design of the hubs is considered by them to be out of character and keeping and harmful to the setting of the Truro Conservation Area and Historic environment.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative spoke in support, while Councillors Webb and Rich addressed heritage, design, illumination, need and public benefits.

The committee debate

Members discussed highway safety, street clutter, justification, advertising, community benefits, safety features, local information and controls over the sites.

“Confirmation that the hubs would be illuminated, a condition was recommended to ensure that the advertisement display remained off between 00.00 and 06.00; Clarification that a benefit of the scheme was that the hubs would display local information. A minimum of 5% of the advertising time was to be offered to the local community; Confirmation that the Local Authority would have control over the sites given that it was the land owner.”

“Whilst not opposed to the principle of the hubs, concern was expressed regarding the impact the hubs could have highway safety in some of the locations; The introduction of the hubs was welcomed and would bring benefits to the community; The hubs would provide an enhanced level of safety for members of the community given the communication and medical features; It was reassuring to hear that the data content would not be sold off; 5.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Thomas proposed approval, Councillor Alvey seconded it, and members voted six in favour, four against and none abstaining.

“Arising from consideration of the report and debate it was moved by Councillor Thomas, seconded by Councillor Alvey, and on a vote of 6 votes in favour, 4 against and 0 abstentions, it was:-”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

“RESOLVED that Application No. PA25/02295 be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report.”

“The reasons given by the Proposer for wishing to approve the application were as set out in the report.”

Minutes