Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions Site visit made on 13 August 2024 by E Grierson BSc (Hons) MSc MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State Decision date: 06 September 2024 Appeal A Ref: APP/A1530/W/23/3334154 Pavement opposite 108 High Street, Colchester CO1 1TB • The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) against a refusal to grant planning permission. • The appeal is made by In Focus Public Networks Limited against the decision of Colchester City Council. • The application Ref is 232011. • The development proposed is installation of a multifunctional communication Hub including advertisement display. Appeal B Ref: APP/A1530/H/23/3334155 Pavement opposite 108 High Street, Colchester CO1 1TB • The appeal is made under Regulation 17 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 against a refusal to grant express consent. • The appeal is made by In Focus Public Networks Limited against the decision of Colchester City Council. • The application Ref is 232012.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions • The advertisement proposed is integrated into the Communication Hub unit and comprises an LCD portrait screen that will be used to show static illuminated content that is remotely changed via a secure ISDN line to the communication device. Decision 1. Appeal A and Appeal B are dismissed. Preliminary Matters 2. As set out above there are two appeals on this site. One for the installation of the communication hub itself and the other for the advertisement screen which is integrated within it. However, to avoid duplication I have dealt with the two schemes together, except where otherwise indicated. 3. The original applicant is Mr Nathan Still (In Focus Public Networks) on the application form and the appeal was submitted by Mr Thomas Johnston (JCDecaux UK Ltd). However, the appellant has confirmed that this was in error and the appellant is In Focus Public Networks Limited with JCDecaux UK Ltd acting as their agent. Therefore, I have determined the appeal on this basis. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate - Appeal Decision APP/A1530/W/23/3334154, APP/A1530/H/23/3334155

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions 4. The descriptions of the proposed development and advertisement outlined above have been taken from the appeal form rather than the application form, as these provide a more accurate description of the proposal. 5. For Appeal B, the Council’s concerns relate solely to amenity and no objections have been raised with regard to public safety. Although located adjacent to a road, due to the substantial width of the pavement in which it would be located, I agree that the proposal, in this location, would have no impact on the factors relevant to public safety. Main Issues 6. The main issue for Appeal A is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, the setting of nearby listed buildings and whether it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Colchester Conservation Area 1. 7. The main issue for Appeal B is the effect of the proposed advertisement on visual amenity. Reasons 8. The appeal site forms part of the pavement on High Street, adjacent to a retail unit currently occupied by a charity. This section of pavement is relatively wide with several items of street furniture including a bench, dustbin and signposts.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions However, the scale of these items is minimal and the pavement is still relatively uncluttered, providing open views up and down the high street. The open and unobstructed nature of the pavement therefore makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the streetscene at present. 9. The proposed development in Appeal A includes a fairly large rectangular communications hub providing various facilities for the public to use with an advertisement screen on the rear. Whilst the design of the hub is modern and simplistic with a narrow profile, its significant height and overall scale would be much larger than the adjacent street furniture, appearing as an overly prominent and incongruous addition to the area. Whilst the buildings on either side of the road are significant in height, the space in between, occupied by the road and footpaths, is open and spacious with no other large structures in the immediate area. Therefore, the proposed development would be a dominant feature within the streetscene, adding to the visual clutter, to the detriment of the character and appearance of the area. 10.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions The proposed advertisement in Appeal B is located on the rear of the communications hub and would be a large addition to the streetscene, with a prominent appearance and an illuminated screen adding to this visibility. Whilst advertising screens of this size may be commonplace in urban city centre locations such as this one, there are no similar features in the area immediately surrounding the appeal site, with this section of the streetscene having a fairly traditional and historic feel with limited examples of modern digital advertisements. Therefore, the proposed advertisement screen would appear as an incongruous addition and would dominate the streetscape to the detriment of the visual amenity. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate - Appeal Decision APP/A1530/W/23/3334154, APP/A1530/H/23/3334155

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions 11. As demonstrated on a map provided by the Council, the appeal site is also located within the Colchester Conservation Area 1, a designated heritage asset. Section 72(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended, requires that special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of a Conservation Area. Although limited information has been provided, from my observations on site it would appear that the significance of the Conservation Area relates to its historic nature and the close-knit, urban nature of development. The appeal site forms part of one of the main commercial streets within the Conservation Area and forms part of the historic environment and urban nature of the area. Its prominent location, adjacent to the road, and its open and undeveloped state makes a positive contribution to the significance of the Conservation Area. 12. As outlined above, the proposed development and the proposed advertisement in appeals A and B would be dominant additions to the streetscene due to their scale and prominence along with the current spacious and uncluttered nature of the pavement in this location.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions The presence of the proposal would add to the visual clutter within the area and would erode the current open nature of the surrounding area to the detriment of the character and appearance of the Conservation Area as a whole. 13. The Council have highlighted a number of listed buildings in close proximity to the appeal site. These listed buildings include 54, 56, 57, 58, 105-106 and 117-118 High Street. Limited information has been submitted regarding these neighbouring buildings. However, it appears that their significance is derived, at least in part, from the antiquity of their structures and from their status as well-preserved examples of vernacular buildings of their age and type. Their historic setting on High Street and within the Colchester Conservation Area 1 contributes to how these assets are appreciated and this setting makes a positive contribution to the significance of these listed buildings. 14.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions Section 66(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires the decision maker, in considering whether to grant planning permission for the development which affects a listed building or its setting, to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any feature of special architectural or historic interest. Whilst the appeal site is in relatively close proximity to these buildings, the proposal would not obscure any key views of these buildings or significantly alter their historic setting. Whilst these listed buildings contribute to the setting of the Conservation Area as a whole, they are well separated from the appeal proposal. As such, the proposed development would not detract from their individual setting. Therefore, whilst it has been found that the proposal would result in harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area as a whole, it would have a neutral impact on the setting and significance of these individual listed buildings. 15. The Council also cite harm to locally listed buildings 52-53, 59 and 112 High Street.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions However, these are also well separated from the appeal site and therefore the proposal would not impact the setting of these buildings. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate - Appeal Decision APP/A1530/W/23/3334154, APP/A1530/H/23/3334155

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions However, these are also well separated from the appeal site and therefore the proposal would not impact the setting of these buildings. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate - Appeal Decision APP/A1530/W/23/3334154, APP/A1530/H/23/3334155 16. Nevertheless, for Appeal A, whilst the proposal would not harm the setting of the nearby listed buildings, it would not preserve the character and appearance of the Colchester Conservation Area 1 and would harm the overall character and appearance of the surrounding area. Therefore, it would conflict with Policy SP7 of the North Essex Authorities’ Shared Strategic Section 1 Plan (the Section 1 Plan) 2021 and Policies DM15 and DM16 of the Colchester Borough Local Plan 2017-2033 Section 2 (the Section 2 Plan) 2022. These policies collectively seek to ensure that all new development respects and responds positively to the character of the site to preserve the quality of existing places and their environs with development affecting the historic environment seeking to conserve and enhance the significance of the heritage asset. The proposal, in this location, would also conflict with the general design objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework. 17.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions In relation to Appeal B, the proposed advertisement would harm visual amenity and would therefore conflict with paragraph 141 of the National Planning Policy Framework and The Town and Country (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended) which states that advertisements should be subject to control in the interests of amenity and public safety. I have taken into account Policy SP7 of the Section 1 Plan and Policies DM15 and DM16 of the Section 2 Plan which seek to protect amenity and so is material in this case. Given I have concluded that the proposed advertisement would harm amenity, the proposal would also conflict with these policies as outlined above. 18. Due to the scale of the proposal, having regard to the Framework, the harm to the significance of the Colchester Town Conservation Area 1 is less than substantial. The Framework requires, where there would be less than substantial harm, for it to be balanced against the public benefits of the scheme. 19. The proposal provides a modern version of a traditional telephone box, which the appellant considers contributes to the vitality and vibrancy of the city centre.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions This includes various public uses including access to a wireless network, USB and wireless device charging, a phone handset, an emergency call button and an interactive screen providing various features such as wayfinding, a live feed and transport service updates. The hub also includes the provision of a publicly accessible defibrillator and community messaging on the advertisement screen in association with local councils, the police and charities. The appellant has also outlined that the hub would be powered by green energy with the screens lit using solar power and is therefore a sustainable addition to the streetscene. 20. Whilst these would undoubtedly be public benefits from the proposal, due to the scale of the scheme as a single communication hub, these benefits would be minimal and therefore are given limited weight. For this reason, the public benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the less than substantial harm to the heritage asset previously identified. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate - Appeal Decision APP/A1530/W/23/3334154, APP/A1530/H/23/3334155

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — Appeal Decisions Other Matters 21. The appellant has indicated that the National Planning Policy Framework supports the roll out of digital infrastructure and that data from recently installed hubs in other city centre locations show that there is an appetite for their use. However, whilst the principle of the development may be supported by national policy this would not outweigh the harm that I have identified. Furthermore, the need for the advertisement is not a matter for my consideration in this appeal. Conclusion 22. Therefore, for the reasons given above and having had regard to all other matters raised, the proposal would conflict with the development plan taken as a whole and I conclude that Appeal A and Appeal B should be dismissed.

Pavement opposite, 108-109 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TB — Colchester Borough Council — E Grierson INSPECTOR https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate - Appeal Decision APP/A1530/W/23/3334154, APP/A1530/H/23/3334155 Appendix 1 List of those who have appealed | Reference | Case Reference | Appellant | | --- | --- | --- | | Appeal A | APP/A1530/W/23/3334154 | In Focus Public Networks Limited | | Appeal B | APP/A1530/H/23/3334155 | In Focus Public Networks Limited | https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate - Appeal Decision APP/A1530/W/23/3334154, APP/A1530/H/23/3334155