Agenda item

9.1

The Director of Development Services submitted a report informing Members of a breach of planning regulations in respect of the erection of unauthorised signs and lighting on a grade two listed building at 14 Market Place, Woodhouse.

9.2

The report stated that a complaint, from a Conservation Officer, was received on 13 January 2014 concerning the fixing of three unauthorised signs, and attendant overhead lighting that had been fixed to the principal and side elevations of the property.

9.3

Correspondence was entered into with the owners of 14 Market Place informing them that, because this property is a Grade II listed building, that planning permission and listed building consent were required for a development of this nature. It also explained that because the signs and lighting were not in keeping with the character of the building, it was unlikely that planning permission and listed building consent would be granted.

9.4

The owner responded to this letter, and engaged an agent to liaise with Conservation Officers in order to put forward a design for signs and lighting that would be considered to be more in keeping with the character of the building.

9.5

In spite of attempts to help the property owner to achieve an acceptable solution to this matter, they had, to date, declined to cooperate further and replace the unauthorised signs and lighting with those agreed as part of the initial consultation process.

9.6

RESOLVED: That (a) the Director of Regeneration and Development Services or Head of Planning be authorised to take any appropriate action including, if necessary, enforcement action and the institution of legal proceedings to secure the removal of the unauthorised signs and overhead lighting at 14 Market Place, Woodhouse; and

(b) the Head of Planning, in liaison with a Joint Chair of this Committee, be delegated to vary the action authorised in order to achieve the objectives hereby confirmed, including taking action to resolve any associated breaches of planning control.