Sign permission

[SNM]

A small works unit by me has erected a lettered board by the entrance. This is right by the public footpath on a busy road in a residential area. The board is perhaps just under 1m square.

Nothing unusual there, but if permission was needed, would what is written on the sign be relevant or not?

The reason I ask is that the lettering could be described as offensive.

Although he has used asterisks in the four letter words, it is plainly blatant what is said (he doesn't like people parking there).

Perhaps I'm old-fashioned, but with grannies bringing there little grandchildren home from school, it's not very edifying to say the least.

Would 'planning' be likely to do anything?

[freddymercurystwin]

That would likely require permission, your local authority will have a prescribed route for reporting illegal developments and the like. You will be able to stay anonymous. Of course how far the council wish to proceed can only be answered by you going through the motions. A little on the Planning Portal but not much: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/buildingwork/projects/workcommonadvertssigns There may be more info on your own LA's website.

[spongobongo]

The relevant piece of legislation you need to quote is the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007.

All advertisements need consent. The Regulations, however, give consent to certain advertisments by default, provided they meet certain criteria. This is called deemed consent. Even an offensive sign meeting these criteria could be removed by a local planning auhtority by taking discontinuance action.

An advert of this nature would fall within Class 2 of the Regulations which deals with miscellaneous advertisements on any premises.

Specifically, advertisement consent is granted for this type of advertisement provided it does not exceed 0.3 of a square metre in area. If it exceeds that area, the owner needs to make a formal application for advertisement consent. This is called express consent.

In the course of dealing with the application, the planning authority has two primary concerns: amenity and public safety. This issues are open to wide interpretation.

I would imagine that a local planning authority would consider the effect on visual amenity of a sign with a large offensive swear word on it to be harmful.

Either way, I'd report it to their enforcement team. A tip off to the local newspaper and your ward councillor will ensure that it is an enforcement priority.

Let us know how you get on.