Staffordshire County Council has announced plans to install two illuminated digital information and advertisement totems on the town’s High Street, outside the B&M Store and BOD.
This initiative, part of the Staffordshire Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and Enhanced Partnership, aims to upgrade transport infrastructure and provide sustainable access to town centres through public transport.
The digital totems, each featuring a 65-inch screen and will be situated on the pedestrianised High Street, measuring just under 2 metres high and a metre wide. The council have said that the design is plain and simple, with an illuminated display area of 1.4m high and .8m wide.
According to the heritage statement provided by the applicant, the totems will serve multiple purposes. They will provide residents and visitors with real-time information about local bus services, travel planning, and other public interest information. Simultaneously, they will offer a platform for local businesses, charities, and public interest groups to advertise their services, boosting the local economy and generating additional revenue for the local authority. The digital advertisements will be displayed on a 300-second loop interchanging with passenger transport information, with no more than 15 adverts displayed for 10 seconds at a time.
The placement of these totems within the town’s conservation area has already drawn concerns from local residents. The heritage statement emphasises that the design and finish of the totems has been carefully selected to minimise any harmful impact on the character of the area and, as far as possible, blend with the environment. The statement says the totems will be illuminated to 600cd, far below the 2500cd maximum, and can be set to black overnight to minimise impact.
“The totems are not just about bringing new technology into the town, but also about preserving and celebrating our heritage,” said Mark Lawrence, a representative from the Staffordshire County Council.
“We understand the need to preserve the character of the town and are committed to this. However, also key to the decision making is the need to balance the public benefits of the proposal with heritage concerns.”
The Council is currently in the process of consulting with local residents, businesses, and heritage groups to gather feedback and address any concerns. They believe that this collaborative approach will result in a solution that benefits the community as a whole.
Stone Town Council will consider the planning application for these totems at their meeting on the 1st of August.
You can find more details on the planning applications, including giving any feedback at: https://www12.staffordbc.gov.uk/online-applications/
| Application Number – 23/37739/ADV
Applicant – Mr Mark Lawrence (Staffordshire County Council) Location – Outside Bod Café Bar at 40 High Street, Stone Development – Digital advertisements displayed on a 300 second loop interchanging with passenger transport information.
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1 comment
Mark Roberts
Rather spending money on this, why not approach the landlords of the empty shops and see if they will reduce rents so the empty units could be filled?
Why do I need a information board telling me our town center is dying, I can see that for myself.