Comments on Applications 24/02823 – Land at Market St. and 24/02825 – Pavement outside 116 High St. and associated applications 02824 and 02826

1 x BT Street Hub and associated display of advertisement to both sides of the unit following the removal of 2 x payphone kiosks in each location.

We objected to a series of previous applications for BT Street Hubs in the town centre in February 2023. We were pleased to see that they were all refused because of the visual impact on the Maidenhead High Street Conservation Area.  Refusal letters stated that the Hubs would fail to enhance or preserve the character of the street scene and would result in significant harm to the heritage asset.

We fail to see any change in the situation regarding these two proposed Hubs. The site in Market Street is outside the side entrance to Boots The Chemist. The location at 116 High Street is outside the Old Post Office. It is noted that the proposed location for this Hub in 2023 was “118 to 120 High Street”. Consequently, the current Planning History for 116 High Street does not indicate a previous refusal! Both proposed locations fall within the designated Maidenhead High Street Conservation Area.

Maidenhead Town Centre in general and the High Street in particular are enduring stressful times with ongoing retail decline combined with uncertainty regarding the redevelopment of the Nicholsons Centre. Although there have been significant improvements eastwards in the Chapel Arches area, with the development of the Waterside Quarter, the central and western sections of the High Street remain in a sensitive state. Additional street furniture with digital illuminated advertising structures more than 2 metres in height should not be permitted in a Conservation Area.

We continue to object to the introduction of so-called Street Hubs in the town centre and will be objecting to any subsequent applications for other locations in the town. Please record this letter of objection against all four applications – viz. 24/02823/4/5/6. We have objected separately the proposed Hub in Stafferton Way.

 

 

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