Agenda item

To consider the planning application and recommendations of the Interim Head of Planning Services (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

The Officer had presented the report together with that for the previous application and advised Members that whilst approval for one entry sign was recommended, refusal for the siting of any other signage around the car park was recommended.

In response to a question, the Interim Head of Planning Services confirmed to Members that it was the siting of the signs that was under consideration, rather than what was printed on them. 

Members voted to approve the installation of one main entry sign board and following this the Interim Head of Planning Services reiterated that unless the Section 106 Legal Agreement was varied, then the permission granted to install the main entry sign board could not be implemented.  As part of the process to vary the Section 106 Legal Agreement, the timescales for parking could be discussed and potentially varied.

Main Entry Sign Board - shown on drawing ref: B349-001, Dated January 2017 and annotated as Main Entry sign x 1

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

1          The express consent hereby granted shall be for a period of 5 years beginning from the date hereof.

2          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.

3          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)

(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.

4          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.

5          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.

6          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.

Sign Boards - shown on drawing ref: B349-001, Dated January 2017

RESOLVED that this application be part REFUSED for the following reason:

1.         The sign board advertisements, due to excessive proliferation, are visually intrusive to the locality, resulting  in a cluttered street scene with excessive signage, adversely and demonstrably causing harm to the character and appearance of the site and failing to preserve or enhance the special character and appearance of the Maldon Conservation Area, contrary to policies BE9 and BE11 of the Maldon District Replacement Local Plan, policies D3 and D6 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.