PROPOSALS for the siting of an advertising funded ‘internet of things’ device in Saltash has been narrowly refused by Cornwall councillors.

The Urban Innovation Company sought permission to site a freestanding ‘Pulse Smart Hub’ on the pavement outside of 6 Fore Street in Saltash.

The equipment, which would be paid for using the illuminated advertisements displayed, would provide digital information and communications facilities(such as access to free public Wi-Fi, phone charging and phone calls, as well as defibrillator and other medical equipment) together with associated infrastructure.

There had been no objections from members of the public, although Saltash Town Council objected, stating: “It was resolved to recommend refusal on the grounds that the proposal conflicts with the Saltash Neighbourhood Development Plan Policies ENV2 and TC2, on the basis of the following points:

“Firstly, harm to visual amenity and local character from an intrusive illuminated digital display.

“Secondly, increased street clutter impacting the appearance and accessibility of the public realm.

“Third, light pollution and potential disturbance to nearby residential properties.

“Fourth, advertising content not aligned with the local town centre identity, favouring national commercial advertising.

“Fifth, highway safety concerns due to close proximity to roadside with the potential distraction to drivers.”

Cornwall Council’s planning officer in recommending approval said of these objections: “These concerns are acknowledged. However, the hub itself is modest in scale and is proposed within a location already characterised by urban activity and artificial illumination.

“No concerns have been raised by Highways Development Management in relation to the remaining hub location and it is not considered that the proposal would result in unacceptable impacts upon pedestrian movement or highway safety due to the amount of space available for pedestrians within proximity of the proposed hub.”

At the meeting, the council heard from a Cllr Brenda Samuels of Saltash Town Council who detailed the reasons for the authority’s concerns, adding that in her view, the location was not suitable for the area.

Cornwall councillors discussed the fact that at full brightness, the screen would be 3,000 nits in brightness and this would be dimmed to 1,500 nits in lower light.

The screen would have also been switched off from midnight until 6am.

The planning officer warned members to be careful not to issue refusal on highways grounds, as no objection to the proposal was raised by the Cornwall Council highways officer for the area.

They told councillors to be mindful of the fact they are not experts in highways or lighting and therefore advised them not to refuse on those grounds as it increases the risk of challenge.

The proposals were refused on the reason for scale, form, prominent siting and its commercial appearance including the illumination of the advertising screen which was described as being visually intrusive and fails to respond positively to the area. Councillors also felt that the benefits from the scheme in the services it offers were insufficient to outweigh the perceived harm.

A motion to approve the scheme saw five councillors vote in favour of it, with six councillors voting against it.

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The second motion, to refuse on the grounds listed was passed by six votes in favour with five votes against.