New 'Communication Hub' including defibrillator approved in Peterborough city centre but two more refused

A new ‘Communications Hub’ has been approved in Peterborough’s city centre but a further two have been rejected by planning officers.

Infocus Public Networks submitted applications for two hubs along Long Causeway and a further one along Bridge Street.

The new hubs have been designed by JCDecaux and have been described as a modern take on the public phone box.

The hubs offer a range of services that include free ultrafast Wi- Fi, free phone calls to landlines and charities, a potentially life-saving defibrillator, wayfinding, device charging, rapid connection to emergency services, public messaging capabilities and a platform for other technologies such as environmental conditions, CCTV and key data.

The applications stated: “The rise in mobile phone use has corresponded with the decline in the use of the traditional public payphone.

"The role of the public phone box also needs to adapt to modern life and the needs of the public to stay connected when Out-of-Home.

"JCDecaux UK has redefined the role and function of the traditional payphone to a multi-purpose Communication Hub that provides the means for people to engage with each other and public bodies.”

All of the units are powered by green electricity and lit using high capacity batteries powered by solar energy.

The approved hub will be located at 22 Long Causeway, close to the Greggs and Paddy Power units.

Applications for 34 Long Causeway- outside of the Chopstix Noodle Bar- and 61 Bridge Street- outside of the recent ‘SCAPE’ residential development- were rejected though with planning officers fearing that the hub would be an “unduly obtrusive and dominant feature” that would result in “substantial harm to the character and appearance of the City Centre Conservation Area, and the character, appearance and visual amenity of the street scene.”

The location on Bridge Street was further rejected over concerns that it would impact on the safety of the nearby road by causing a distraction to drivers and reducing the walkway for pedestrians due to its proximity of the crossing between Bridge Street and Bourges Boulevard.