A TARDIS-style cash machine and phone box in St George’s Square will be removed.
Huddersfield councillors on the planning committee yesterday felt it would set an unwanted precedent and rejected BT’s application.
And BT came in for some criticism too.
They caused controversy last year when they put a grey dual phone box and cash machine next to Britannia Buildings in the square without planning consent.
After the retrospective application was rejected last year they returned with a new application but a different design.
Objector Chris Marsden, chairman of the Huddersfield Civic Society , said the kiosk was like putting “Goth lipstick on a pig” – out of keeping with the Square’s conservation area, which is surrounded by Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II listed buildings.
He added: “Don’t be fooled by the photographs (BT submitted with the application) there is no glass in it at all.”
A Kirklees planning officer confirmed the images BT had submitted with the application were not the same design they were seeking consent for.
BT were seeking a design similar to a traditional red phone box and cash machine. Kirklees planning officers said it might be permitted if it was black.
However, councillors didn’t agree with them.
Clr Mohan Sokhal said: “I don’t think there is really a need – there are other cash machines and everybody had one or two mobile phones.
“Leave St George’s Square free of these artificial things.”
Clr Cliff Preest, planning chairman, said he was concerned approval would set a precedent.
And Clr Jean Calvert, questioned why the adverts in the Square’s dentists windows were allowed, despite not being in keeping aesthetically.
A council officer explained that because they were on the inside of the windows they could not act.
Clr Linda Wilkinson had raised the same matter last year and yesterday the council officer vowed to re-look at the rules.
Councillors voted 10 to one to refuse the kiosk. BT can appeal.
