A new advertising monolith in an area of Bradford that has undergone major changes would “not be well designed or well located” – a planning inspector has decided.
Earlier this year JCDecaux applied for permission to install three advertising “hub” units in the city centre.
Each would feature an 86 inch illuminated LCD advertising board as well as a defibrillator and free Wi-Fi.
One would be located in City Park while the other two, planned for Bridge Street and Bank Street, would be in areas that have recently been transformed to create new public areas.
Bradford Council refused plans for all three hubs, saying they would add clutter to an area that is being opened up to the public, and the modern features would harm the city’s Conservation Area.
JCDecaux appealed all three decisions, asking a Government planning inspector to overturn Bradford Council’s decisions.
On the Bridge Street application, which would have been located outside Rimmington’s Pharmacy, the appeal said: “Being modern does not in and of itself make such developments unacceptable. Not all the buildings within the town centre or the conservation area are listed buildings but include a number of examples of modern designs and architecture, notably within the visual context of the site.”
Since the appeal was submitted, the listed building next to where the hub would be located – Carter’s Block – was named as being a likely recipient of Historic England Heritage Action Zone funding that would help remove modern shopfronts and restore the building to its Victorian glory.
The planning inspector appointed the Bridge Street appeal, S Dean, has now returned their decision, dismissing the appeal.
They said: “The proposal would introduce a relatively tall, prominent and plainly modern element directly in front of an attractive listed building, within the Conservation Area and within an otherwise currently open and unobstructed pedestrian area.
“Given that, the proposal would appear somewhat stranded and oddly located, prominent in the centre of a large, otherwise open, paved area, bearing little relation to its surroundings, or even any other nearby street furniture.
“The proposal would close off views from Bridge Street up towards the attractive buildings on, and views along Sunbridge Road, and in the other direction, intrude on views of the Town Hall and further along Bridge Street.”
After the decision Si Cunningham, Chair of Bradford Civic Society, said: “The site in question is right at the heart of the city’s new Heritage Action Zone, and has recently undergone significant public realm improvements to declutter the streetscape.
“Everyone is working really hard to try and improve Bradford’s image and make the city centre a much more pleasant place for pedestrians, so it’s frustrating when big organisations don’t respect those efforts.
“I hope the decision sends a message to others about what’s acceptable for our most historic streets.”
