Plans for several defibrillator ports around Ipswich have been refused over concerns they would provide "street clutter".

Applications were made in December to install several communication hubs in Ipswich - each equipped with USB charging ports, WiFi, free phone and a defibrillator.

The proposals for the hubs, which have already been installed in cities such as Nottingham and Liverpool, were made by advertising company JCDecaux UK, which has secured planning permission in the past for hubs across Ipswich. 

The units would provide rapid connection to emergency services, powered by green energy and lit using batteries powered by solar.

Ipswich Star: Plans for JCDecauxUK advertisement boards have been refused by Ipswich council.Plans for JCDecauxUK advertisement boards have been refused by Ipswich council. (Image: JCDecauxUK)

The hubs come with security measures including an automatic block where the same number is frequently called, the display of warning messages and built-in CCTV to record misuse.

One side of the hub would have included the defibrillator and a touch screen, with the other side being an 86" advertisement board for commercial and community use, as well as public announcements from Ipswich Borough Council.

Plans for the hubs at 80 Civic Drive, 1-7 Old Cattle Market, and 39-41 Carr Street were discussed and refused by the council's Planning and Development Committee on March 6.

The council said it would refuse advertisements that would add to the "visual clutter” of the areas and impact “public safety”.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Borough Council's planning committee discussed the plans earlier this month.Ipswich Borough Council's planning committee discussed the plans earlier this month. (Image: IBC)

The displays near traffic would potentially have a “distracting effect” on drivers, as they involve moving images, animation, and video, which result in an “unnecessary risk to public safety”.

This could be avoided if the hubs were turned to face away from traffic.

“While the hub represents an expansion of the public electronic communications network within the borough, it is considered that on balance the harm that would be inflicted on the street scene outweighs the limited benefits the apparatus would provide,” one decision notice states.

But permission was granted for a hub on land outside NCP car park in Tacket Street.