Newtownabbey: New street hub with defibrillator will 'replace existing outdated public payphones'
Planning permission for a digital advertisement unit with payphone to be located at 224 Carnmoney Road, Newtownabbey, was granted at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee.
Planning officer Johanne McKendry told the committee the proposed scheme by applicant New World Payphones is to replace existing outdated public payphones.
She said there were no letters of objection and the principle of development is “acceptable” and is “compatible with adjacent land uses”. She added there are no road safety concerns and no amenity would be affected.
Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster highlighted the location’s proximity to a primary school. He said it would be in front of a “very busy” primary school. “We are trying to encourage people to be more cognisant around primary schools,” he stated.
A company representative said the application had been presented directly to DfI (Department for Infrastructure) Roads and there had been a discussion on road safety before the application was submitted to the borough council.
Airport DUP Alderman Matthew Magill asked for clarification on whether it was a “general conversation or specific to this application”.
The company representative reiterated that officials saw the application before it went to the council. Cllr Foster pointed out the council turned down a similar application “50 metres away”.
Barry Diamond, the council’s head of planning, said the proposal would “bring important infrastructure” such as wi-fi to the area and would contain a defibrillator. He went on to say the planned kiosk is considered to be “acceptable” and the advertisement would be a “low level of luminance”.
“We think it is acceptable in relation to proximity to the school. The infrastructure it provides may be beneficial. What is advertised, there may be issues with that but we can’t comment on what is advertised,” Mr Diamond added.
Cllr Foster remarked: “It is ten metres from the front of the school. Advertising signs are designed to attract attention.” Mr Diamond indicated DfI Roads has no objection but has specific conditions.
Airport Sinn Fein Cllr Annemarie Logue asked why the application had been “called-in” by a councillor. Mr Diamond replied there had been a concern that the proposal may impact the planned environmental improvement scheme in Glengormley.
Ald Magill asked if there could be a condition about what could be shown on the screen at school drop-off and pick-up times. He was told it was not possible as it was simply “a space to advertise”.
Ald Magill asked if there could be a condition the screen would not be operational, for example, between 8.30am and 9am and from 2.30 pm until 3.30pm. He was advised a condition in that regard could be included.
Antrim SDLP Cllr Roisin Lynch proposed accepting the recommendation to approve planning permission, seconded by Glengormley Sinn Fein Cllr Rosie Kinnear.
Permission was granted following a vote in which nine councillors were in favour with two against and one abstention.
Cllr Lynch also proposed accepting the recommendation to approve advertisement consent, seconded by Cllr Kinnear. Permission was granted following a vote in which ten members were in favour with one against and one abstention.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter