CONTROVERSIAL plans to install “hideous” electronic advertising boards have been thrown out in what has been described as a “victory for common sense".
Colchester Council has refused all six applications submitted by telecommunications company BT for eight feet tall displays in Lion Walk and the High Street in Colchester.
The illuminated advertisements, described as street hubs, would have been placed inside the shopping centre complex and outside Lloyds Bank and near the Salvation Army base.
Had the blueprints been given the green light the imposing units, which offer “free public digital communication”, would have replaced outdated phone boxes.
Planning bosses refused the proposals due to the visual impact the boards would have on the character of the city centre and because of their modern look.
The proposed display for Lion Walk also proved a problem because of the site being a conservation area and its close proximity to listed buildings.
Documents seen by the Gazette read: “The hub would exacerbate the impression of visual clutter in the location.
“The hub would fail to integrate successfully in the street scene or make a positive contribution to the character of the conservation area.
“It would be significantly visually detrimental and impede the free flow of pedestrians by reducing the shared footway width.”
Prior to planning bosses pulling the plug on BT’s plans, Colchester Civic Society and Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell had strongly opposed the applications.
According to Sir Bob, the proposals ignored Colchester Council’s previous decision to ban A-boards in the city centre.
The advertising boards were blacklisted by the authority in October 2017 when a public spaces protection order was introduced.
Then public safety boss Mike Lilley took the decision in a bid to make the city centre more accessible for wheelchair users and blind and partially-sighted people
Sir Bob said: “I am grateful to planners for giving these appalling proposals by BT the thumbs down - the illuminated structures would have been a hideous intrusion.
“Particularly, those in the High Street and opposite Lion Walk Church and those located on pavements would have affected pedestrians.
“This is a victory for common sense.”
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