Plans for a city centre smart hub have been rejected after it was dubbed “inappropriate” and “clutter”.
An application was submitted in May for a Pulse smart hub, a digital screen that enables pedestrians to make free calls, provides free Wi-Fi and contains a defibrillator, in West Street, Brighton.
Brighton and Hove City Council made the decision to reject the application on Thursday, July 18.
In a report, the planning officer said the hub would create “additional street clutter” and would cause “adverse harm to the visual amenity of the area”.
A mock up of the Pulse smart hub (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)
The report also stated that it would “reduce the footway width” in a “very congested” area.
A comment on the application also read: “We object on the basis of the siting and appearance of this 'hub'.
“It is inappropriate for this location in an important city conservation area and will create significant obstruction to pedestrians in a very busy area for people on foot, in wheelchairs, pushing buggies etc, damaging the amenity of the area for residents and visitors and undermining the tourism and cultural economy.”
There are currently two other planning applications for Pulse smart hubs, in Jubilee Street and Western Road, under consideration with Brighton and Hove City Council.
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