pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions Site visit made on 6 November 2024 by M Aqbal BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State Decision date: 27 November 2024 Appeal A Ref: APP/F5540/W/24/3344321 Pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, Hounslow TW3 1HG • 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 Mr Nathan Still, In Focus Network Limited against the decision of the Council of the London Borough of Hounslow. • The application Ref is 01565/E/P3. • The development proposed is the installation of a multifunctional communication Hub including defibrillator and advertisement display, as illustrated in the attached documentation. Appeal B Ref: APP/F5540/H/24/3344322 Pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, Hounslow TW3 1HG • 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 Mr Nathan Stills, In Focus Network Limited against the decision of the Council of the London Borough of Hounslow. • The application Ref is 01565/E/AD2.

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions • The development proposed is the installation of a multifunctional communication Hub including defibrillator and advertisement display, as illustrated in the attached documentation. Decisions 1. Appeal A is allowed and planning permission is granted for the installation of a multifunctional communication hub including defibrillator and advertisement display, as illustrated in the attached documentation, at Pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, Hounslow TW3 1HG, in accordance with the terms of the application Ref 01565/E/P3 and subject to the following conditions: 1) The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than 3 years from the date of this decision. 2) The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and documents: A02436 - Communication Hub Proposal, Site Plan and Images and Appendix B Communication Hub Proposals, Hub Unit Detail. 2. Appeal B is allowed and express consent is granted for the advertisement display as applied for.

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions The consent is for 10 years from the date of this decision and is subject to the five standard conditions set out in the Regulations and the following additional conditions: 1) The advertisement display shall be statically illuminated and the intensity of the illumination of the digital signs shall not exceed 2500 candelas per square metre during the day and 300 candelas per square metre during the hours of darkness in line with the maximum permitted recommended https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions The consent is for 10 years from the date of this decision and is subject to the five standard conditions set out in the Regulations and the following additional conditions: 1) The advertisement display shall be statically illuminated and the intensity of the illumination of the digital signs shall not exceed 2500 candelas per square metre during the day and 300 candelas per square metre during the hours of darkness in line with the maximum permitted recommended https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions Appeal Decisions APP/F5540/W/24/3344321, APP/F5540/H/24/3344322 luminance as set out by ‘The Institute of Lighting Professionals Professional Lighting Guide 2023.’ 2) The minimum display time for each advertisement shall be 10 seconds. 3) The interval between advertisements shall take place over a period no greater than one second; the complete screen shall change with no visual effects (including fading, swiping or other animated transition methods) between displays and the display will include a mechanism to freeze the image in the event of a malfunction. Preliminary Matters 3. The Council determined the appeal scheme as two separate applications, one for the proposed communication hub unit (Appeal A) and the other for the proposed advertisement display (Appeal B) and accordingly issued two separate decision notices. 4. Both appeals relate to the same site and to each other. I have considered each on its individual merits, but as they raise similar issues and to avoid duplication, I have dealt with them in a single decision letter. Main Issues 5. Regarding Appeal A, the main issues are the effect of the proposed communication hub on the character and appearance of the area and highway safety. 6.

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions Regarding Appeal B, the main issues are the effect of the proposed advertisement on visual amenity and public safety. Reasons Background 7. The site of these appeals is a section of pavement along High Street. 8. The proposed ‘communication hub’ is a standalone installation. In addition to facilitating free calls to landlines, this offers additional connective functions that includes free Wi-Fi, USB and wireless device charging, a 32inch touch screen to enable wayfinding, direct access to local webpages and a 24/7 publicly accessible defibrillator. The communication hub includes a larger advertisement display on one side. Character and appearance 9. The High Street is a main shopping area comprising a relatively straight and wide pedestrianised thoroughfare. The appeal site is flanked by mainly modern buildings, incorporating large commercial frontages along with extensive signage and advertisements. Together, these contribute to a vibrant shopping environment and a modern townscape. 10. Street furniture is varied scales and designs.

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions This including benches, bins cycle stands and other installations, some of which are similar to the proposal are mainly arranged centrally along the High Street and in some locations interspersed by trees. Because of this arrangement, pedestrians and other users of the High Street can use the areas either side of the street furniture to https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 2

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions This including benches, bins cycle stands and other installations, some of which are similar to the proposal are mainly arranged centrally along the High Street and in some locations interspersed by trees. Because of this arrangement, pedestrians and other users of the High Street can use the areas either side of the street furniture to https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 2

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions Appeal Decisions APP/F5540/W/24/3344321, APP/F5540/H/24/3344322 travel along the High Street. There is also sufficient spacing between groupings of street furniture to allow users to cross the High Street. 11. Consistent with the existing street furniture, the communication hub would be located centrally along the High Street near to a grouping of street furniture comprising a streetlight, cycle stands and benches. Because of this alignment and proximity to other street furniture, the Communication Hub would not appear isolated. 12. At a height of approximately 2.63m and a more limited width and a slimmer profile, the scale of the communication hub would be absorbed by the nearby tree, other street furniture, the width of the pedestrianised area and the scale of adjacent built forms. 13. Due to its appropriate siting, scale and because of its modern design, the communication hub would assimilate with its commercial setting and modern townscape. Visual amenity 14. As already stated, the appeal site is flanked by commercial frontages with a range of advertisements and signage. There are also advertisements on other similar communications apparatus within the High Street.

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions As such, the proposed advertisement display within the communication hub, would be compatible with this context, and because of its considered siting, and scale relative to the communication hub, would be an acceptable addition to the public realm. 15. For the above reasons, the communication hub would not harm the character and appearance of the area and accords with Policies CC1, CC2 and CC5 of the Hounslow Borough Local Plan (2015-2030) (‘LP’). Together, these policies seek to promote and support high quality urban design and the focusing of advertisements in town centres, shopping parades and areas of commercial activity. 16. Also, for the above reasons the proposed advertisement would not harm the visual amenity of the area. In accordance with the Regulations, I have also taken into account the provision of the development plan as far as it is material. Highway safety 17. The High Street is heavily used by pedestrians, and to a lesser extent by cyclists and other users. Despite its siting, pavement areas about 7m in width would be retained on either side of the communication hub. There would also be appropriate spacing between the communication hub, and the streetlamp.

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions This arrangement would ensure sufficient visibility and safe circulation around the communication hub for pedestrians, cyclists and other users who wish to cross the High Street, including by using spaces between street furniture and trees. 18. For the above reasons, the proposal would not compromise highway safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other users of the High Street. Accordingly, I find no conflict with LP Policy EC2, which seeks to maximise opportunities for walking, cycling and improving the public realm. The proposal also accords with LP Policy CC5. Amongst other things, this Policy requires that the advertisement https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 3

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions This arrangement would ensure sufficient visibility and safe circulation around the communication hub for pedestrians, cyclists and other users who wish to cross the High Street, including by using spaces between street furniture and trees. 18. For the above reasons, the proposal would not compromise highway safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other users of the High Street. Accordingly, I find no conflict with LP Policy EC2, which seeks to maximise opportunities for walking, cycling and improving the public realm. The proposal also accords with LP Policy CC5. Amongst other things, this Policy requires that the advertisement https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 3

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions Appeal Decisions APP/F5540/W/24/3344321, APP/F5540/H/24/3344322 and associated structure does not adversely impact on pedestrian and vehicle movement and safety. Public safety 19. The proposed advertisement display would be mainly visible to pedestrians, cyclists and other users of the High Street. Based on my findings on highway safety and because the illuminance, the display time of an advertisement and intervals between advertisements can be controlled by conditions, I am not persuaded that the proposed advertisement raises any significant public safety concerns. 20. For the above reasons, the proposed advertisement display would not harm public safety. In accordance with the Regulations, I have also taken into account the provision of the development plan as far as it is material. Other Matters 21. I have dealt with other appeals from the appellant for a similar communication hub in a different location within the High Street. However, these appeals do not alter my findings on the main issues, as set out above. Conditions 22. In respect of Appeal A, in addition to the standard timescale condition, I have imposed a condition specifying the relevant plans and documents as this provides certainty. 23.

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — Appeal Decisions Appeal B is subject to the five standard conditions set out in the Regulations. I am also attaching three further conditions (1) (2) and (3) to avoid distraction in the interests of public safety. Conclusions 24. For the above reasons, Appeal A and Appeal B are allowed.

pavement o/s Nos 233-235 High Street, HOUNSLOW, TW3 1HG — London Borough of Hounslow — M Aqbal INSPECTOR https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 4