PLANS to install a network of smart hubs around Newquay have been approved.

Technology firm Urban Innovation Company, has received planning permission to erect 12 two-sided Pulse Smart Hubs at locations including Berry Road, Bank Street, Chester Road, Central Square, Cliff Road, Fore Street, Henver Road, Headland Road, Narrowcliff, Pentire Road, Treloggan Road and William Hosking Road.

Cornwall Council planners decided the proposal is” acceptable” despite acknowledging the kiosks would have a visual impact on the existing streetscape. They concluded any perceived harm on the existing landscape is not considered to be outweighed by the significant community benefits brought by the proposal.

The Pulse Smart Hubs would provide free phone calls, Wi-Fi provision and mobile device charging, including wireless charging and a defibrillator.

The hi-tech devices also feature a 999 button that connects directly to the police, fire, and medical services in case of an emergency and a free-to-use touchscreen interface to access local maps, services, facilities, and visitor information.

The hubs additionally offer public messaging to promote the town, local services, and events as well as sensors that capture data on air quality, traffic flow, and footfall that can be used to improve the environment and peoples’ well-being. They have additional space for other telecom technological advances.

The Pulse Smart Hub scheme has been developed in collaboration with Newquay Town Council, Newquay BID, Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council’s community safety partnership.

Urban Innovation Company, which has already installed hubs in Belfast, pays for the installation, operation and their ongoing maintenance through paid-for advertising on the main screens so there would be no cost to the taxpayer.

Cornwall Council’s delegated officer’s report stated: “The Pulse Smart Hub could be inevitably perceived as adding to street clutter, however the chosen positions balance the need to appropriately relate to the built, urban environment, whilst not unduly increasing street clutter.

“As such, it is not considered that the proposed units would lead to material harm to the visual amenities of the surrounding area nor would be seen incongruous or jarring features to the streetscape and townscape.

“Taking into account the scale and siting of the proposed Pulse Smart Hub, it is not considered that the proposal would have a materially harmful effect by way of overshadowing and overbearing impacts; nor overlooking or unreasonable loss of privacy.

“In respect of noise and disturbance, existing background noise ought to be taken into account.

“The proposed Pulse Smart Hub siting would not materially affect pedestrians, drivers’ visibility splays, sightlines; nor would reduce the available footway width below the minimum

“Although concerns have been raised in relation to distractions to drivers and other highway users through the displayed content.

“Advertisements will not change any more frequently than once every 10 seconds; hubs will not display any moving images; and any change in advertisement display shall be instantaneous.

“It is not considered that the potential for the proposed units to interfere with motorists, 'users' attention and thus prejudice highway safety is not greater than that caused by other existing signs and/or street furniture features such as bus stops with integrated advertising boards. As such, the proposed development is deemed to be acceptable from a highway safety perspective.

“The police designing out crime officer has considered and provided advice and comments in respect to the scheme, which have been passed on to the applicant.

“As raised in the response, the hub locations would be in spaces that currently benefit from good levels of working street lighting, and a management plan is being secured through planning condition as recommended. “