BT street hub at Telephone Box Outside 55 - 57 High Street, Deal

What was proposed

The application proposed replacing the existing telephone box with a BT street hub containing two digital display screens.

“25/01133 –- Erection of 1 BT ‘Street Hub', incorporating 2 digital 75" LCD advert screens (BT Phone Kiosk to be removed) - Telephone Box outside 55-57 High Street, Deal…”

Officer report

The site

The hub would stand on the footway beside Mountain Warehouse in Deal High Street’s Middle Street Conservation Area and Article 4 area.

“The application site forms part of the footway on Deal High Street, adjacent to the retail shop, Mountain Warehouse. A shared surface is located to the east which allows for delivery vehicles between 10pm and 10am only. The site is situated within the Deal Middle Street Conservation Area and is also covered by an Article 4 Direction.”

“The application seeks to erect a BT Street Hub, incorporating 2 digital 75” LCD advert screens. The existing BT phone kiosk would be removed. The proposed street hub comprises a modern design, which is a free-standing structure featuring digital HD display screens on 2 sides. The hub would be located on the same site as the existing telephone box but would be thinner and slightly wider. The advertisement would have an illuminance level of 5000cd/m2.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

A parallel advertisement consent application was pending, while two earlier telephone-kiosk applications had been withdrawn.

“DOV/25/01134 – parallel advert consent – Erection of 1 BT Street Hub, incorporating 2 digital 75” LCD advert screens (BT Phone Kiosk removed). Pending consideration.”

“DOV/97/00165 – To re-site 2 telephone kiosks from brick pagoda and replace with 2 Kx100 telephone kiosk. Withdrawn.”

Officer report

The officers’ assessment

Officers considered the proposal acceptable in principle and found no unacceptable crime, heritage, residential amenity or highway impacts, subject to conditions.

“The proposed BT street hub is considered to adhere to the principles and objectives of the applicable policies and the NPPF, and there are no policies or NPPF paragraphs which would preclude the proposed development in this location. Accordingly, the proposal is considered to be acceptable in principle, subject to the assessment of all other material planning considerations.”

“It is therefore concluded that, subject to a condition to secure the management plan, that there would be no unacceptable risk to crime safety from the proposal. The proposal would therefore be in accordance with paragraph 96 of the NPPF which requires that decisions aim to achieve safe places and high-quality public space so that crime and the fear of crime do not undermine the quality of life.”

Officer report

Design and local character

Officers considered the slimmer replacement would preserve the conservation area and improve the visual and townscape qualities of the street.

“A key characteristic of this part of the conservation area that contributes to its significance is its active commercial function, with shops on both sides of the street and other urban features that define it as a typical high street. Features include pedestrian and street furniture, benches, a cycle rack, planters, lampposts, bins etc. This is a key pedestrian route through the town that leads to Deal Train Station and Deal Seafront.”

“It is considered that the street hub would improve the visual and townscape qualities of the street scene. As the existing telephone box would be removed and replaced with the street hub, it is considered that the proposal preserves the character and appearance of the area, including the surrounding townscape and public realm.”

Officer report

Advice and objections

The town council, crime prevention adviser and six objectors raised concerns about character, public safety, advertising, street clutter and potential crime.

“Deal Town Council – Objects due to the. The street hub being inappropriate for the conservation area and detrimental to the integrity of the area. They also support the concerns of Kent Police in terms of public safety.”

“Crime Prevention Design Advisor – Raise significant concerns with the proposed units which would be contrary to paragraphs 96(b) and 135(f) of the NPPF (2024)]. Concerns are raised regarding public safety, drug offences & ASB, misuse of the 999 call button, “Honey Pot” Vulnerability and pickpocketing, Street clutter/pinch points, cycle theft and criminal damage.”

Officer report

What was said at committee

The planning officer explained the proposal’s facilities, footway position and separate advertisement consent process; the legal adviser explained referral options.

Members’ discussion

Members debated the screens, the separate consent process, the usefulness of the structure, conservation-area boundaries and additional street furniture.

“Councillor Pout questioned what would happen if the Head of Planning and Development refused the advertisement consent application. For practical reasons, it did not make sense to determine the applications separately. The Chairman expressed some confusion around where the boundaries of the conservation area began and ended; this location appeared to be right on the border.”

“Councillors Nee and Pout continued to express concerns about approving an aluminium structure that would be pointless without screens/advertising, should advertisement consent be refused. Both Members wanted to avoid increasing the amount of unnecessary street furniture in the High Street.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to five conditions, including the management plan, removal of the telephone box and no external lighting.

“RESOLVED: (a) That Application No DOV/25/01133 be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

“(iii) BT Street Hub Anti-Social Behaviour Management Plan;”

Minutes