Big screens in public spaces
28. May 2009
Robust policies required to prevent big screens causing harm to the Character, appearance, amenity and safety of places.
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.
Joint guidance from English Heritage and
CABE, Large digital screens in public spaces has been prepared for local authorities
who are considering planning applications. The report has incorporated experiences
gained from the SCREAM media screens project run by University College London
and funded by the UrbanBuzz knowledge exchange programme.
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.