A government inspector has reversed a decision to block a BT “street hub” from The Grove in Ilkley.
Last year BT applied for permission to replace an existing phone box outside 40-42 The Grove with a new hub unit that would feature two large advertising screens, wi-fi, public phone and phone charging facility.
Bradford Council refused to grant permission, arguing it would be an “incongruous and strident feature” on the picturesque street.
The telecoms giant appealed the decision, arguing the hub would be an essential part of the changing nature of the nation’s communications network.
Now planning inspector P Hatch has assessed the appeal, and agreed to overturn Bradford Council’s decision.
They said:
“The footpath to The Grove is broad, tree lined and includes little in the way of street furniture other than litter bins and pay-and-display machines which are positioned at regular intervals.
“The addition of mature street trees, positioned along the roadside-edge of the footpath, combine to give the street scene in this location a positive sense of openness and generates an attractive boulevard sense to its character.
“There is an existing BT phone kiosk in this location which, due to its ageing condition, does not contribute to the positive elements of the street scene previously described. The proposed Street Hub would replace the existing installation and would have a smaller footprint than the existing BT kiosk.
“I note the Council’s concern over the prominence and scale of the proposed Street Hub installation and would agree that it cannot be considered a ‘like for like.’
“Notwithstanding, the dimensions of the proposed hub in terms of its width and depth, would be smaller than the existing kiosk. Whilst I note the height of the proposed hub would be greater than the existing kiosk, this increase in height would not appear overly excessive in the street-scene.
“Whilst I would acknowledge that the installation of illuminated displays to both sides would result in the structure being more visible in the street scene, such illuminated displays do not appear out of character for commercial town centre locations.
“In regard to Ilkley Conservation Area, its particular significance to The Grove relates to the importance of its broad and open pavements. For the reasons already described, the scale, positioning and design of the hub, including its illuminated nature, would not result in harm to the significance described and would not have a detrimental impact on the architectural character of the buildings, nor the existing positive sense of openness or the boulevard feel of The Grove.”
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