Plenty of illuminated seafront signs, but Mora cannot join in
A RESTAURATEUR'S hopes of having an illuminated sign have been dashed, despite numerous other eateries having one.
The planners rejected Mora's proposal for the harbour front restaurant on the grounds it would introduce illuminated signage to a sensitive location.
At a planning appeal hearing, the panel agreed there were numerous other examples of illuminated signs, but presiding member Stuart Fell said they were rejecting the appeal.
'The tribunal's conclusion in this case is finely balanced, and a key factor is the amount of unauthorised signage and illumination that exists, which has undoubtedly altered the character and appearance of the conservation area, but has gone unchallenged,' he said.
The department does not normally permit illuminated signs, especially above the first floor windowsill.
But Mr Ciotti provided 24 examples of illuminated adverts.
The planners said five were exempt from planning, two required further investigation and 17 were either permitted or exempt from enforcement.
Mr Fell said most of those 17 were unauthorised, but had been up so long there was nothing the planners could do.
He also noted that it was quite common to see high signs illuminated around Town, with 20 between The Quay and North Plantation.
