THE refusal of plans for a BT Street Hub in Keynsham High Street has been upheld on appeal.
The hubs are designed to replace traditional public phone kiosks, offering free public wifi, free phone calls, USB charging and other digital services.
BT Telecommunications wanted to put the unit between Poundland and Peacocks.
It would have included a 75-inch LCD display screen on each side showing digital billboard advertisements.
Bath & North East Somerset Council turned down the application in December last years after issa number of issues were raised, including antisocial behaviour.
BT Telecommunications then appealed to the Secretary of State against the decision – and now a government planning inspector has rejected that appeal.
The inspector ruled that the hub would be harmful to the character and appearance of the surroundings, being within the Keynsham conservation area and near Grade II listed buildings.
The inspector also cited information from local police about crime and antisocial behaviour in the High Street.
The inspector said: “The hub is likely to result in loitering and the gathering of individuals, which has the potential to increase instances of anti-social behaviour.
“I am also conscious of the comments that the illuminated nature of the advertisements can result in difficulties in the use of CCTV systems in discouraging and dealing with such occurrences.”
When the plans were submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council in September last year, Jason Price, a police designing out crime officer, sought the views of Sergeant Rob Turner of Keynsham’s neighbourhood policing team.
Sgt Turner responded that “Poundland suffers the most ASB and theft in Keynsham, due to its location being on the main thoroughfare for both senior schools in Keynsham.
“Due to the suggested location, this would cause groups, predominantly young persons, to gather in an area that already suffers issues with ASB and theft and, from over 22 years of policing experience, exacerbate them.
“I do not believe this is a viable option and would cause a strain on policing in the area.”
Keynsham Town Council also objected to the scheme, as did local B&NES councillors Alex Beaumont and Alan Hale.
Cllr Beaumont (Keynsham North) said the hub would not fit in with the High Street’s character and pointed out that there was already advertising on four bus stops in the town centre.
Cllr Hale (Keynsham South) said there was no proven need for the hub, as most coffee shops already offered free wifi. He also said the hub might get in the way of pedestrians and disability scooters at busy times, with the risk of people stepping off the kerb into the cycle lane.
Cllr Beaumont told the Voice he welcomed the decision to reject BT’s appeal.
He said: “I’m not opposed to Street Hubs as a concept but this was a terrible location to place one, blocking use of the pavement in the middle of the High Street.”
BT loses appeal over Keynsham street hub refusal
