Digital advertising hub at Footpath outside 174 Monton road, Eccles, Salford

“Planning permission is sought for the installation of a ‘BT Street Hub’ – a freestanding structure with LED-lit digital advertisement screens on either side and communication and data monitoring capabilities. The application is submitted alongside a separate application for advertisement consent (ref. PA/2025/1206).”

“The hub unit would measure 1.24m in width, 0.35m in depth and would stand 2.99m in height. The display screen would measure approximately 0.9m x 1.2m.”

“The application site relates to an area of public footway on the northeast side of Monton Road within the Eccles Ward. It is located to the north of the junction with Crawford Street and to the southeast of the junction with Partington Street which serves a car park.”

“The site spans the fronts of nos. 170-176 Monton Road - a short terrace with commercial uses at ground floor. This section of public footway contains other street furniture including a lamppost, bin, metal bench and cycle stand.”

“The application(s) follow the withdrawal of planning application reference: PA/2025/0088 and Advertisement Consent application reference: PA/2025/0133 which sought permission for the same development along a different part of Monton Road. Following discussions with the Local Highways Authority and Road Safety Team, officers determined that this location was unsuitable due to its location close to a pedestrian crossing and the potential risks it posed to highway safety.”

“…location for the development, with all other areas of the footway within the Monton local centre appearing to pose either a highways safety risk or result in clutter.”

“The application site is located within the Monton Local Centre (a designated Local Centre) where retail and leisure are a primary function (as set out in Policy TC1 of the SLP:DMP), and advertisements are to be expected.”

“The proposed location is on a section of adopted footway which is approximately 5m in width. The proposed hub would be 1.2m wide leaving 2m of usable footway between it and the buildings to the north and 1.4m between it and the kerb edge (in line with best practice guidelines for inclusive mobility). As such it is not considered to create any obstruction to pedestrian or cyclist movement.”

“Officer Comment: The Council’s Highways Officer has reviewed the application. Their comments and matters relating to highway safety are discussed within the Appraisal Section (Highway Safety) of this report.”

“Impact on Amenity / Public health and the Environment - The development promotes unnecessary screen time (detrimental to public mental health initiatives) in a previously screen free environment - It would cause light pollution at night which is especially harmful for residents and wildlife. - Significant energy consumption at a time of energy and climate crisis. - Commercial advertising is harmful to public health (e.g., promoting fast food, alcohol).”

“Refused, contrary to the officer recommendation, by a vote of 9 for, 0 against and 3 abstentions, on the grounds that the proposed development would be highly prominent within the street scene, and owing to the quantity and concentration of street furniture within the immediate and wider area would result in additional clutter and an unnecessary obstacle along this section of footway.”