Agenda item

10.1

The Director of Regeneration and Development Services submitted a report in relation to breaches of planning control in respect of illegal signs at 166, 223-225, 234, 235, 243-245 and 280 Abbeydale Road.

10.2

The report stated that two complaints had been received from the public in relation to illuminated signs at 227 and 229 Abbeydale Road. Enforcement action was taken against these signs which resulted in a successful prosecution and the subsequent removal of three illegal signs. The owner of the two properties made a counter complaint regarding similar illuminated signs in the area at first floor level. In the interests of fairness, an area of Abbeydale Road was targeted and five properties were identified as displaying illegal signs.

10.3

Of the targeted action, five signs had been removed after negotiation; however eight of the signs, which are the subject of the report, remain. Each property displaying an illegal sign had received numerous communications from the Council since December 2012 identifying and explaining the illegal signs, requesting their removal and offering advice on alternative, more acceptable propsals.

10.4

In 2014 two new signs appeared at 280 Abbeydale Road, one a large illuminated sign causing nuisance to the first floor flats and the second a large banner sign at first floor level. Several letters had been sent to the occupiers and owners but no effort had been made to contact the Council or to remove the signs.

10.5

It was officers’ opinion that if retrospective advertisement applications were submitted for the signs they would be contrary to UDP Policy and would likely be refused. Therefore, advertisement applications had not been invited.

10.6

RESOLVED: That (a) authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Development Services or the Head of Planning to take all necessary steps, including enforcement action, the institution of legal proceedings, and, if necessary, discontinuance action, to secure the removal of the signs at the properties at Abbeydale Road identified in the report now submitted and (b) the Head of Planning, in liaison with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the action in order to achieve the objectives hereby confirmed, including taking action to resolve any associated breaches of planning control.