'Modern day phone box' proposals for Antrim, Ballyclare and Glengormley
Planning applications are being considered by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for three new digital street hubs.
Proposals for the erection of a free-standing street hub, comprising two digital 75-inch LCD display screens each side of the unit, to replace a BT payphone, kiosk have been received for the pavement outside 5 Ballyclare Road, Glengormley; 55 Main Street, Ballyclare and 42 High Street, Antrim.
The applications have been made by an agent on behalf of Global UK which has an address at Theobalds Road, London.
A planning statement said: “The proposed street hub will provide ultrafast wi-fi, small cell technology, and rapid charge ports for use by the local community.
“The roll-out of proposed street hubs will improve the local street scene by removing legacy payphones that are usually redundant, outdated and under-used, giving back valuable pavement space.”
BT has partnered with Global to provide free phone calls to anyone in the UK on mobile or landline, free rapid device charging, a touch screen tablet to access local information, free “ultra-fast wi-fi” and outdoor advertising across a 1,000-strong network in the UK.
The application for Glengormley said: “The site is located on a wide pedestrian path, landscaped with street furniture. There is an existing BT payphone kiosk and poster panel display on the site.
“The proposed street hub delivers upgraded telecommunications and digital connectivity infrastructure, replacing outdated payphone provision at an established roadside location.”
“The hub is modest in scale, designed as a modern piece of street furniture, and is appropriately sited within a commercialised urban environment,” the report stated.
“The development has been carefully designed to maintain pedestrian circulation, visibility and public safety, without obstruction of foot way space or driver distraction.”
A proposal has also been received on behalf of Global UK for the erection of a free-standing street Hub, comprising two digital 75-inch LCD display screens to replace a BT payphone kiosk, three metres from 55 Main Street, Ballyclare, adjacent to the entrance to Harrier Way.
A planning statement noted as well as replacing a payphone, the proposed hub will be “sympathetically sited on a wide pedestrian path, landscaped with street furniture”.
And it will ”blend well with the surrounding environment”, if planning permission is approved. “To ensure there will be no adverse impact on highway safety, only static images will be displayed,” the report said.
The proposed new street hub at High Street, Antrim, would replace an existing twin BT payphone phone box on the site. A planning statement noted the site “lies within Antrim Conservation Area. The site lies opposite a Grade B2 listed building”.
“The proposal will provide replacement infrastructure to facilitate the functionality and enhance retail offerings in the town centre,” a planning statement said.
“Given the scale and size will be less than the existing phone box, the proposed development will not detract from the setting of the nearby listed building.
“It is important that all items of street furniture are well-maintained. Shabby and neglected items can seriously detract from the appearance of the general environment.”
BT says online: “People don’t often need a phone box to call someone these days – but they do need the internet. So, we’ve adapted with the times and have started to provide the ‘modern day phone box’ – street hubs.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter