New guidance on impact of giant outdoor screens

Local authorities are being warned that they need to manage the impact of public digital screens in a joint publication from CABE and English Heritage.

New draft guidance, Large digital screens in public spaces – Joint guidance from English Heritage and CABE, has been prepared for local authorities who are considering planning applications. The consultation draft has been sent to all local authorities and responses are required by Monday 27 July 2009.

Proposals are increasingly being made by broadcasters and commercial companies for giant screens in civic squares across the country. The Live Sites programme for the 2012 Olympic Games, for instance, being run by the     BBC, will result in 30 or more permanent screens across the UK. The guidance says that robust policies are required to avoid some screens causing significant harm to the character, appearance, amenity and even safety of places.

The guidance draws on the experience of the 21 Big Screens already installed by the BBC. In Norwich, the screen has been successfully mounted on the entrance to a new shopping centre. In Hull, the screen is sited obtrusively on tall posts across a main pedestrian street. In Manchester, the screen has been uncomfortably mounted on a Grade II listed building. 

However, in the wrong place screens can have a significant impact on local amenity and quality of public space. In small towns, the dominance of a digital screen in its major – or only – public space can disenfranchise sectors of the community.  They can also block important local views, detract from historic buildings, and lead to the felling of mature trees.

The guidance advises that noise pollution is a particular risk: sound travels for some distance, and the screens are not used only for major sports events.  Some screens transmit throughout the day, which can spoil the quiet enjoyment of a space and disturb local residents.

CABE and English Heritage recommend that local authorities only permit the screens as part of an overall strategy for regeneration; always assess the potential impact of proposals on the historic environment; and discourage proposals for commercial advertising.

Richard Simmons, chief executive of CABE, points out that this is a growing issue, and before any decision is made to permit a screen, local authorities need to be sure that local character will be preserved or enhanced, and that any harm is minimised.

“This means having robust policies to protect public spaces, and a plan to resolve competing applications from other broadcasters or commercial operators.” 

The consultation draft has been sent out to all local authorities for comment with responses required by Monday 27 July 2009 to london@english-heritage.org.uk.