Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended)
Proposed Removal of Telephone Kiosk For BT Payphones
Over the past decade there has been a decline of 90% in payphone usage as a result of significant changes in communication in the UK, 98% of the UK now has either 3G, 4G or 5G coverage. This is important because such coverage makes it possible to call the emergency services, even when there is no credit or no coverage from your own mobile provider. Furthermore, a recent Ofcom report has found that most people do not view payphones as essential for most consumers in most circumstances.
As part of BT’s Universal Service Obligation, it is required that payphone provision is to meet reasonable needs, however BT constantly needs to review payphone usage and, on occasions, look to realign public payphone provision more closely to the reducing demand that still exists.
It has been identified that a BT payphone in your area is no longer required and therefore could be removed. BT has asked Durham Council County to collate any comments regarding the matter and to relay these back to BT for consideration. Details of the phone box in question are detailed below
Address: Telephone Box At Whinlatter Place, DL5 7DR
Number 01325 313371
Total number of calls last 12 months – 35
If you wish to object you will please need to state your reasons why. BT offers local communities the facility to adopt existing traditional red ‘heritage’ phone box and make them an asset that local people can enjoy for just £1, thereby protecting the heritage of the community. Communities can also adopt modern glass boxes if they want to house a defibrillator. Please visit bt.com/adopt for more information
https://business.bt.com/public-sector/street-hubs/adopt-a[1]kiosk-scheme/?s_cid=btb_FURL_adopt
In order to be taken into account, any comments should please be made via email to planning@durham.gov.uk clearly stating the reference number PRE90/26/00214 before the end of March 2026.
