PLANS by a private firm to erect new public phone booths in Bournemouth have been blocked by the council.

Euro Payphone Limited was seeking prior approval from the council to build three new booths in Holdenhurst Road, two in Old Christchurch Road and two in Commercial Road.

The phone booths do not require planning permission, but the council must approve the design and location.

However, each bid has been rejected by council officers under delegated powers due to "inappropriate and cluttered siting".

In a report for one of the Holdenhurst Road boxes, planning officer Steve Davies states that the proposed "lightweight modern appearance" is "acceptable", however: "The proposal would conflict with the aim of creating a high quality public realm and would add clutter to the present uncluttered street scene in a part of the town where there is a significant number of pedestrians using the space."

The Daily Echo contacted Euro Payphone to ask for their response, and enquire about the demand for public phones in an age of mobile technology.

The firm's development executive Tom Fisher said: "Euro Payphone is a telecommunications code operator, operating in the UK since 1987.

"We are seeking to install seven public call boxes in Bournemouth which will incorporate solar power and enable wheelchair access.

"Despite a decline in public call box use, as identified in Ofcom’s 2010 review of the universal service obligation, public call boxes provide a service that is valued and needed by many people without a phone or those away from home, who cannot, for whatever reason, use their mobile.

"Many disadvantaged and vulnerable consumers still rely on PCBs."

He did not confirm whether the company would make a second attempt.

The company says its booths are specially-designed to prevent some of the behavioural issues associated with traditional street furniture.

"Euro Payphone recognise that the traditional public telephone kiosk requires modernisation to reflect the needs of present day society," its application states.

"The old style kiosks suffer from a range of difficulties including antisocial behaviour.

"In addition to this, the old style K2 and K6 kiosks based upon the designs of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott have ceased to be installed throughout the UK due to a lack of compliance with current disability regulations, as per guidance issued by Ofcom.

"As such, the proposed kiosk has been designed so that it will be easily accessible to wheelchair users."