APPROVAL for two additional ‘smart hubs’ in Newton Abbot has been granted.

Submitted by Urban Innovation Company (UIC), 25/00325/FUL sought permission for the installation of two ‘Pulse Smart Hubs’, one on Newton Road and the other on Station Road, near Courtenay Park.

Teignbridge District Council (TDC) approved the application on April 17, stipulating that work must begin within three years.

The additional two will join the eight already approved.

The existing sites earmarked in 24/00815/ADV for a hub include Queen Street, Courtenay Street, East Street, Market Street, The Avenue, Wolborough Street and Cricketfield Road.

The intention behind the hubs is to ‘create a telecommunications and services network, enhancing modern digital infrastructure, whilst improving public safety on the streets, with access to emergency services and lifesaving equipment’, according to the planning statement.

Designed, developed and engineered by Urban Innovation Company (UIC), the hubs are ‘free-standing structures featuring a fully accessible interactive tablet along with larger digital display screens on two sides’.

The company, which submitted the application alongside Newton Abbot Town Council, says it wants to remain ‘leaders of this space’.

UIC is ‘committed to complying with relevant government requirements and guidance in terms of electromagnetic field exposure’, according to the planning statement for 25/00325/FUL.

The pays for the installation, operation and ongoing maintenance of the hubs through paid-for advertising on the main screens.

The hubs have myriad functions, including but not limited to: wireless mobile phone charging; 999 emergency service button; free Wi-Fi and a built-in Public Access Defibrillator.

The first Pulse Smart Hub network was implemented in Belfast in 2019.