A large illuminated advertising display that will also transmit free wi-fi is set to replace two old phone boxes outside Edinburgh's Commonwealth Pool after a successful planning appeal by BT.
The first 'Street Hub' in the capital got the go-ahead on Wednesday (September 14) after councillors narrowly voted to overturn a planning decision taken by officials earlier this year.
Although there have been growing calls for the telecoms giant to rid the city's streets of disused and often vandalised payphones, BTs decision to tie applications to remove them with proposals for the new LED screens has been criticised.
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Speaking at the council's Local Review Body (LRB), which reconsiders previously rejected plans, Labour councillor Lesley Marion-Cameron took no issue with the designs and said the new installation would "provide information and guidance in an accessible way to our citizens".
But Neil Gardiner, SNP, called on the company to "remove them and not hold the city to hostage" - and challenged the 'competency' of fellow councillors' decision after they struggled to offer reasons for reversing the refusal.
As well as generating income from commercial advertising and boosting mobile signals locally, Street Hubs can be used for Wi-Fi, calls and device charging, whilst providing access to information on council services. Furthermore, BT says they are 100 per cent powered by renewable energy.
Over recent months planners at the city council have refused permission to install 18 throughout Edinburgh, which are proposed to replace 35 phone boxes.
All have since been appealed to the Scottish Government and are awaiting a decision.
The application that went before councillors this week - for a Hub by the steps to the Royal Commonwealth Pool on Dalkeith Road - was the only one also appealed directly with the council.
In a design statement submitted to the council, BT said: "The proposed BT Street Hub unit is an advanced, modern development which has been designed following significant improvements in technology and digital content over recent years.
"It can promote the image of the authority as a vibrant place, and we believe it will improve the quality of the immediate streetscape for residents, businesses and visitors."
In giving reasons for being against the 75-inch screens popping up on streets across the capital, planning officers said they would be detrimental in terms of visual impact, impact neighbouring properties, adding digital adverts "are not supported on street furniture other than on bus shelters in appropriate locations".
And in the case of the Dalkeith Road application, they said a Street Hub would be "uncharacteristic and visually disruptive" next to the grade-A listed Commonwealth Pool.
Cllr Hal Osler, Liberal Democrats, told the LRB: "You've got existing already two phone boxes that people want removed, that have been vandalised, that have caused problems - they've got advertising on them.
"The issue basically is around the size of it and the actual illumination of it being not static and it being LED."
Cllr Osler was in favour of upholding the original decision and said the Street Hub would have a "detrimental effect because of the sheer brightness and attraction that that would naturally cause".
She added it would have "a worse impact on the setting" than the old payphones.
Mr Gardiner said the Pool is a "much-loved building" and urged councillors to "protect our cultural heritage".
"The pool is early 70s, late 60s for the 1978 Commonwealth Games, am I correct in saying Edinburgh doesn't really have many grade A-listed 1970s buildings?," he asked council planner Gina Bellhouse.
Ms Bellhouse said she was unaware of exactly how many there are in the city but assured councillors it is regarded as being of international significance.
Cllr Gardiner continued: "I think the two things are not linked, there are redundant telephone boxes I think BT could remove them and not hold the city to hostage. If they're no longer used then they can go.
"I would call on BT to just remove these boxes and not link it to accruing advertising space in the public realm."
However, the other two members present, Labour's Lesley Marion Cameron and Tim Jones from the Conservative Group, took the opposite view.
Ms Cameron said: "I am supportive of this application.
"I believe it's important that we as a city will have good Wi-Fi to enhance the experience and particularly if the Hub is going to provide information and guidance in an accessible way to our citizens.
She added: "I think this adds something, I don't think it detracts."
Cllr Jones argued it should get permission "because of exceptional circumstances".
As the convener, Cllr Jones had the casting vote and confirmed his support to approve permission, after members were split down the middle over the proposals.
But when pushed for reasons for reversing the council's previous decision, the two councillors appeared flustered and struggled to offer a coherent response.
Ms Bellhouse said: "If you are proposing to overturn the recommendation that was put forward in the report of handling you need to have reasons around the policies."
Following a pause, planning officer Blair Ritchie said: "Can we have reasons for the planning application being granted?"
Cllr Cameron replied: "Because of what it brings in terms of the sustainability and accessibility of what it provides and I don't think it detracts from the grade-A listed building. On the condition that the telephone boxes are removed."
Ms Bellhouse said: "Sorry to push you on this but you need to provide a reason why you think it complies with the policies".
Reiterating his earlier comment, Cllr Jones said: "It's my understanding that this amendment could be supported in respect of exceptional circumstances".
Cllr Gardiner questioned if a "competent decision" had been taken, accusing the pair of "trying to retrofit reasons after the decision has been made".
Ms Bellhouse then read out reasons it was initially refused and asked the councillors to clarify why it wasn't contrary to planning regulations.
Ms Cameron replied: "So do you mean then that all we have to say, or all I have to say, in moving that we overturn the officers decision is that we don't accept that it's against Des 1, Des 5 and Env 6?"
"Because," Ms Bellhouse said, "you just need to provide that because bit."
"Because I don't believe it detracts and I don't believe in terms of the conservation area," Cllr Cameron responded.
Cllr Jones added: "We have bus shelters all over Edinburgh with these sorts of adverts in Princes Street and George Street all next to historic buildings so I would say for those reasons. It's exceptional."
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