Agenda item

To consider an application for the installation of 3no. illuminated, 4no. non-illuminated signs & door vinyls.

That planning application 2021/2574/ADV be issued as a SPLIT decision. All signage was APPROVED for installation SAVE FOR sign number 9 which was REFUSED, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, due to the height, scale and massing and detrimental effect on visual amenity. Also contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, conditions would be imposed to ensure that none of the permitted signs are illuminated due to the detrimental effect on visual amenity.

Votes – 8 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention

Installation of 3no. illuminated, 4no. non-illuminated signs & door vinyls

The Officer’s Report stated that the application had been referred to the Planning Committee as the Officer’s recommendation of approval was contrary to the objections raised by the Town Council and Division members. The application site was within the defined development limits of Frome and was located in an area with various commercial and residential properties. The site was located adjacent to the boundary of Frome Conservation Area and the application was to erect 3 illuminated signs, 4 non-illuminated signs and vinyls to the doors to advertise B&Q.

There had been objections from the Division Members and the Town Council.

The Report continued that it was not considered that the illumination of the advertisement signs would result in harm to the amenity of the nearby residences during the operational hours of the business. A condition was recommended restricting the hours of illumination to when the store was open to the public. Although on the boundary of the Conservation Area, it was not considered that the proposed signage would look out of context in the surrounding area and would have an acceptable impact on the visual amenity of the locality. It was also considered that they would not pose a hazard to drivers on the highway or cause any obstruction to pedestrian safety. In conclusion, the Officers recommendation was for approval.

The Planning Officer explained the application to the Committee with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation.

There was no-one registered to speak on this application.

In the discussion which followed, Members debated the need for the signs to be illuminated and the effect of the signs on the nearby Conservation Area. One particular sign was felt to be too big and intrusive. They also queried why so many signs were required.

Members were reminded that there would be a restriction imposed on the signs to be illuminated only when the store was open, which was between the hours of 7am and 8pm. Nonetheless, Members agreed as the signs were already a bright orange colour, illumination was not necessary, particularly as the site was so close to the Conservation Area.

It was proposed by Councillor Edric Hobbs and seconded by Councillor Tessa Munt to approve the erection of all signs except for sign number 9, which was deemed to be detrimental to the visual amenity of the area and unsuitable in terms of height, scale and massing. None of the signs were approved to be illuminated.

On being put to the vote the proposal was carried 8 votes for, 1 abstention, 1 refusal.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2021/2574/ADV be issued as a SPLIT decision. All signage was APPROVED for installation SAVE FOR sign number 9 which was REFUSED, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, due to the height, scale and massing and detrimental effect on visual amenity. Also contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, conditions would be imposed to ensure that none of the permitted signs are illuminated due to the detrimental effect on visual amenity.

Votes – 8 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention