PLANNING permission is being sought to erect three “Pulse Smart Hubs” in Crediton.

The giant touchscreen tablets would show adverts, allow people to make telephone calls, access a defibrillator and more.

They would be installed on Exhibition Road near Lidl, the High Street near the former Lloyds Bank, and on the A377 opposite the Tesco petrol station.

Urban Innovation Company (UIC), which designs, develops and engineers the monoliths, would pay for their installation, operation and maintenance through the advertising on the screens, with no cost to the public.

The company’s original plan was to have as many as 14 Pulse Smart Hubs around the town, but after speaking to the district council, it settled on just three.

Each of the hubs would have a built-in public access defibrillator, a drug for the emergency treatment of overdoses, an emergency safety button for vulnerable people, a 999 emergency service button, the ability to make free telephone calls, free Wi-Fi, digital wayfinding and maps, wireless mobile phone chargers, and local event and service information.

They would be 1.66 metres tall, 0.93 metres wide and have two illuminated LED screens on each side.

“UIC is the only community-first smart street furniture provider in the UK, that delivers communication, connectivity, and lifesaving equipment specifically tailored to the local areas we serve,” said a company spokesperson.

“Unlike the big corporations, its small team dedicates itself to working closely with the public, third-sector stakeholders, and partners to ensure each network maximises the benefits it provides to address the needs of the community, both now, and in the future.

“The design of the Pulse Smart Hubs has been developed over time and is a high quality, multifunctional piece of street furniture which maximises the services available to the public within a footprint smaller than a traditional public call box.”

Crediton Town Council is in favour of the proposals.

“Crediton Town Council has been working with Pulse Hubs for almost a year, to offer a digital kerbside information centre to residents.

“We support the application for the three locations and look forward to their future installation, which includes a community advertising element, public information and medical support.”

The first Pulse Smart Hub network was installed in Belfast in 2019. The company is based there.

You can see the application on Mid Devon District Council’s website under reference 25/01501/FULL.

To see more public notices and planning applications, visit: publicnoticeportal.uk.