Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

In response to a question regarding consent approval recently given for the same sign in a different location and whether that approval would still exist if this application was approved, the Specialist: Development Manager advised that it would still exist but should Members have concerns a condition could be imposed so that the developer had the choice of either approved position for the sign but not both.

It was noted that this application was retrospective, and a Member commented that the sign should refer to Heybridge and not Maldon.  The Officer explained this was not a material consideration but the applicant may take this on board for the future.

Councillors Miss A M Beale, B B Heubner and P L Spenceley declared non-pecuniary interests in this application as they were Members of the North Heybridge Garden Suburb Community Liaison Panel.

Councillor K M H Lagan declared a non-pecuniary interest as he had received an email from a resident regarding this application.  He referred to a number of points raised in the email.  In response the Specialist: Development Management reminded the Committee that the same sign had consent albeit in a different location and therefore, there was little scope to reassess its visual impact, especially as the sign’s revised position would be less visually prominent.

It was noted that the previous application had been supported by Essex County Council Highways, but no consultation response had been received from them on this application.

Councillor Mrs J C Stilts proposed that the application be approved as per the report on condition that the developer could not display two signs.  This proposal was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken was agreed.

RESOLVED that this application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development herby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 2085/010 Rev Q; WP-Loc1; Site Plan - Langford Road; Site Plan - Maypole Road; Site Plan - Broad Street Green Road; Billboards - Colours, materials & overall dimensions; Billboards - Individual sizes of text, logos and features; Billboards - Framework structure and foundation details and the details included in the accompanied application form.

2.         The express consent hereby granted shall be for a period of 5 years beginning from the date of permission 21/00945/ADV.

3.         No advertisement is to be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission.

4.         No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to:

a)         endanger persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military); or

b)         obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air; or

c)         hinder the operation of any device used for the purposes of security or surveillance or for the measuring the speed of any vehicle.

5.         Any advertisement displayed, and any site used for the display of advertisements, shall be maintained in a condition that does not impair the visual amenity of the site.

6.         Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger the public.

7.         Where an advertisement is required under these Regulations to be removed, the site shall be left in a condition that does not endanger the public or impair visual amenity.

8.         The public’s rights and ease of passage over public footpath no 30 (Heybridge) shall be maintained free and unobstructed at all times.

9.         The advertisement hereby consented shall be removed within 7 days from the installation of the advertisement approved under the terms of application 21/00945/ADV near Langford Road.