Co-op warned over advertising boards in Market Street
CHANNEL ISLANDS CO-OP has been warned not to put folding boards outside its Market Street premises.
A compliance notice has been sent to the business, where the planners note that free-standing advertising boards were being placed outside the shop without planning permission. The shop must permanently remove all freestanding advertising boards from the land by 22 February.
Some signs can be erected without the specific grant of planning permission, such as temporary contractor signs, house names, election boards and hedge veg notices.
However, there are special rules when it comes to freestanding boards. On the planners’ website, there is guidance about why this is.
‘Carefully designed advertisements and signs can enhance the quality of our surroundings by adding colour, interest and vitality to the environment,’ it states.
‘However, most people also recognise that advertisements and signs that are over-large, poorly located or badly and inappropriately lit can undermine the quality of a place. Too many signs can appear cluttered and confusing.’
It is hoped that by requiring planning permission, it would ensure that signs would make a positive contribution to the environment.
The Co-op shop is in the Market Building, which is a listed structure dating back more than 200 years. It is also at the entrance to the old quarter of St Peter Port and in the Town conservation area.
The Co-op has been contacted for comment.
This is not the first time the planners have cracked down on advertising boards. In 2010 businesses were asked to put away their boards if they obstructed the public and in 2009 the police asked businesses not to put out boards because they could cause problems with people with sight difficulties.
