Two digital advertising screens at Pavement Outside Of 26 Bridge Street, Swindon
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Swindon Planning Committee on 9 Dec 2025.
What was proposed
The application sought consent for two digital 75-inch LCD screens, one on each side of a new BT Street Hub unit.
“The application seeks advertisement consent to display 2no. digital 75" LCD display screens, one on each side of a new BT Street Hub unit. The application has been submitted in conjunction with a full planning application (S/25/0758) to install the associated BT Street Hub.”
“NB: This Advertisement Consent application relates solely to the display of 2no. digital 75" LCD display screens. Installation of the BT hub in its own rights is considered within the associated planning application S/25/0758.”
Officer report
The site and surroundings
The screens would be on adopted highway land along a pedestrianised commercial shopping route, among existing street furniture and without special designations.
“The application site is an area of adopted highway-controlled land, located on the pavement outside of 26 Bridge Street in Swindon Town Centre. This section of Bridge Street is a pedestrianised area which can be described as an ‘arterial route’ for pedestrian shoppers in Swindon town centre. The street scene context immediate to the application site is generally commercial and comprises of a number of shops, commercial services.”
“The application site is not subject to any special designations; it is not within a Conservation Area, it is…”
Officer report
Earlier related applications
There was no relevant site history, but identical Street Hub and screen applications elsewhere had been granted, refused or remained pending.
“Relevant Planning History and Associated Applications: Application Number: S/25/0549 Status: Granted Description: Installation of 1no. BT Street Hub and removal of associated BT payphones. Application Number: S/ADV/25/0550 Status: Granted Description: Installation of 2no. digital 75" LCD display screens, one on each side of the Street Hub unit. Application Number: S/25/0551 Status: Granted Description: Installation of 1no.”
“Description: Installation of 1no. BT Street Hub and removal of associated BT payphones. Application Number: S/ADV/25/0753 Status: Refused Description: Installation of 2no. digital 75" LCD display screens, one on each side of the Street Hub unit. Application Number: S/25/0754 Status: Pending Description: Installation of 1no. BT Street Hub and removal of associated BT payphones.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
The Highways Department raised no objection subject to illumination and content controls, while the parish council made no comment.
“Consultees 6.1 Highways Department (28 th July 2025): No objection. Subject to conditions to limit the intensity of illumination and screen content.”
Officer report
Objections and comments
A councillor objected on appearance, pedestrian and vehicle safety, energy use, anti-social behaviour and cumulative impact grounds; adjacent occupiers made no comments.
“Councillor Milner-Barry Councillor Milner-Barry (4 th August 2025): Objection. Due to (in summary), Impact upon the character and appearance of the area. Pedestrian and vehicle safety. Use of energy/strain on the grid. Anti-social behaviour. Cumulative impact.”
“Third-Party Representations 6.4 Letters were sent to occupiers of properties adjacent to the site. No comments were received. Policy and Legislative Context…”
Officer report
Speaking at the meeting
No one spoke in support, and no one spoke against the application beyond objections made generally under the related item.
The committee debate
Councillor Jake Chandler proposed approval with the reported conditions, and Councillor Matthew Courtliff seconded the proposal.
“Councillor Jake Chandler proposed granting advertising consent, subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report. Councillor Matthew Courtliff seconded the proposal.”
Minutes
The vote and decision
Five councillors supported the proposal, three opposed it and one abstained; consent was granted subject to the conditions.
“Five Councillors were in favour of the proposal from Councillors Jake Chandler and Matthew Courtliff and three were opposed. There was one abstention.”
“Resolved – That advertising consent be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Swindon Planning Committee minutes, 9 December 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Swindon's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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- Committee
- Swindon Planning Committee
- Council
- Swindon
- Date
- Tuesday 9 December 2025
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
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This committee's year
23 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.