Newquay Town Council and Newquay's Business Improvement District (BID) are supporting plans to install 14 'smart hubs' on local streets, despite some residents expressing concerns.
The planning request submitted to Cornwall Council by Urban Innovation Company (UIC) says the Pulse Smart Hubs will be fitted with touchscreens, providing services such as free phone calls via an integrated speaker and receiver, complimentary wi-fi, wireless mobile charging and digital maps.
The hubs will also provide a built-in defibrillator and a "nasal Naloxone opioid antagonist" – a drug used for the emergency treatment of a drug overdose – as well as an emergency safety button to support anyone who is vulnerable and a 999 emergency button.
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They can also offer local information on what's on, council services and helplines.
A planning report has revealed that the Safer Cornwall Partnership is strongly backing proposals for new digital hubs, recognising the potential benefits they could bring to residents, businesses and visitors in Cornwall.
The partnership believes these hubs would "support vibrant, safe, supportive communities, alongside enhancing digital infrastructure and supporting local economic development.
The need to plan for greater investment in world-class digital infrastructure is critical to the continued social, economic and environmental success of this country and this has been brought into sharper focus by the recent Covid-19 pandemic".
The proposed locations for the hubs have been developed in collaboration with Newquay Town Council, Newquay BID, Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council. They include:
- Location 1: Pavement adjacent to 55 to 57 Bank Street.
- Location 2: Pavement adjacent to 62-70 Berry Road.
- Location 3: Pavement outside 8 Bank Street, Central Square.
- Location 4: Pavement adjacent to 2 to 6 Chester Road.
- Location 5: Pavement adjacent to Fore Street Car Park.
- Location 6: Verge adjacent to Hendra Holiday Park, West Road (A392).
- Location 7: Pavement outside Kwik Fit, 244-246 Henver Road.
- Location 8: Verge outside McDonalds and Lidl, Treloggan Road.
- Location 9: Pavement adjacent to 12 to 15 Cliff Road, Newquay Railway Station.
- Location 10: Pavement outside Premier Inn, Quintrell Downs.
- Location 11: Verge outside South Fistral Car Park, Pentire Road.
- Location 12: Pavement outside Tesco Express, 1 to 15 Narrowcliff.
- Location 13: Pavement outside Chi Myghtern Lewdh building, William Hoskin Road, Nansledan.
- Location 14: Pavement adjacent to Newquay Golf Club opposite 2 to 10 Headland Road.
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Despite endorsements from public bodies, a wave of dissent has emerged on social media platforms focused on Newquay, with community members voicing unease about issues such as street clutter, the rise in digital adverts and light pollution.
"They're totally unnecessary and will just add to the already overwhelming and messy/ugly street furniture in the town," one resident expressed.
The Cornwall Council's planning portal also features several critiques. A local commented: "Newquay needs to be brightened with flowers for pollinators, continued focus on accessible pavements and better cycle routes. Funding going into ugly advertising boards could be put into making Newquay nicer rather than an impersonal ugly place.
"Also, how tone deaf, when we're in a long energy crisis, to flaunt that someone has money to put into electricity for advertising boards, when families didn't heat their homes last winter."
One local voiced their concern, saying: "These digital signs in my opinion do not fit and are not in keeping with the surroundings, especially the one proposed for Headland Road as visitors to Newquay get their first glimpses of the view across the Fistral beach.
"In my view, they are incredibly obtrusive and are not in keeping with the beautiful vista across the golf course with Fistral Beach in the distance. I can understand ones located in the town centre which do appear to fit in with the urban environment."
Further details can be found on Cornwall Council's website within planning application PA25/01900.