Football matches, films and other events could be shown on a town centre's new digital screen.

Plans for the large screen in High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme – part of a £390,000 investment in the town centre – are set to be approved by councillors.

The screen, measuring 5.1 metres by 2.9 metres, would be mounted on a post close to the junction with Hick Street. According to the plans, put forward by Newcastle Borough Council, the screen would be used for showing sports, other events of national importance and films, as well as community messages from local organisations.

There would also be 'an element of advertising' in order to generate an income to support the operation of the screen. Funding for the project is coming from Newcastle's award from the Future High Streets Fund, and council leaders hope it will make the town centre more attractive to visitors, together with other improvements.

The plans are part of a £390,000 investment in the town centre (Nub News).

Officers have recommended the scheme for approval, saying the benefits will outweigh the impact to the town centre conservation area.

The report to the planning committee states:" In addition to the public safety benefits of providing information on a range of local and national community safety and crime prevention messages aimed at raising awareness and encouraging positive behaviour, the screening of films, sports and other public interest events would provide an economic benefit to the town centre by increasing footfall.

"To conclude, it is considered that these benefits would outweigh the limited harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area and therefore, the proposal would accord with the policies of the development plan and the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework."

The screen would have the ability to rotate from landscape to portrait, and would have a maximum height above the ground of 8.8 metres. The council is proposing to turn off the screen between 10pm and 8am.

Members of the planning committee will consider the plans at their meeting on Tuesday, November 5.

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