THE proposals for two digital advertising boards in Bude has been met with vociferous objections by locals.

It comes amid concern about the visual impact of the two ‘smart hubs’ in locations at The Crescent and Queen Street in Bude.

The proposals would see the installation of two ‘smart hubs’ with integrated digital advertising screens in the town, the type of which are more commonly seen in city centres.

A similar proposal in Bodmin was withdrawn after a former mayor raised concerns about the locations of the two boards in the town centre’s conservation area, with illustrations for one of the hubs indicated to be in front of a monument commemorating the 1497 Cornish Rebellion.

The proposals in Bude could be facing a similar jeopardy after concerns were raised by the council’s highways development and historic environment planning teams.

It was described as an ‘alien’ feature in the area by the Historic Environment planning team at Cornwall Council, who stated that its recommended conditions for the proposals would be the removal of the hub located on the Crescent and changes to the colours of the one to be located on Queen Street.

They also warned of the visual harm the digital advertising boards would have on ‘one of the oldest parts of Bude’.

However, the council’s Highways development management team has said that the proposed location on Queen Street would ‘block the extent of the adopted highway’ and would also require ownership and control of third party land to implement.

They added: “Notwithstanding the above is insurmountable therefore I recommend the Queen Street site is removed from consideration or an alternative site sought.”

The objections from the two council planning teams raises the chances that the proposals could be withdrawn or refused in their current format.

Bude-Stratton Town Council also added to the objections, with the council stating in its consultation response: “Bude Stratton Town Council objects to this application on clear planning grounds relating to highway safety, pedestrian safety, accessibility, visual impact and heritage impact.

“The proposed illuminated digital screens would be located within the Bude conservation area on constrained, heavily used town centre footways close to carriageways, crossing points and areas of frequent vehicle manoeuvring. Their visually distracting nature presents a risk to both drivers and pedestrians and is prejudicial to highway safety.

“The siting of these structures would reduce effective footway width in areas of high pedestrian activity, creating pinch points and obstructing safe movement for wheelchair users, pushchairs and those with mobility or visual impairments.

“The hubs would also introduce unnecessary light pollution, street clutter and visually intrusive digital advertising into the conservation area, harming the character and appearance of the town and detracting from the established streetscape.

“For these reasons, the proposal is contrary to the principles of good design, safe access for all users, and the requirement to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of conservation areas.”

There were also 34 objections from Bude residents in relation to the plans, which can be viewed using reference PA26/00336.