Control of Advertisements

Local Planning Authorities are responsible for the control of advertisements. They are required to consider applications for permission to display them and to exercise enforcement powers over existing and unlawful advertisements.

What is an advertisement?

• Posters and Notices
• Placards and Boards
• Fascia signs and projection signs
• Pole signs and canopy signs
• Models and devices
• Advanced signs and direction signs
• Estate agents boards
• Captive balloon advertisements
• Flag advertisements
• Price markers and price displays
• Traffic signs
• Town and village name signs         

      Note: Memorials and railway signals are not regarded as advertisements

Do I need advertisement consent?

There are three groups of advertisement for which differing planning rules apply.

1. Advertisements which are exempt from control.
   
2. Advertisements which have 'deemed consent' (meaning that permission is not needed provided you stay within certain rules).
   
   Regulations allow for certain advertisements to be displayed without needing a specific application. This is "deemed consent" but to take advantage of its provisions you need to abide by certain conditions. If you can't fit into one of the classes (listed within the regulations) then you will need to contact the Council’s Development Control team 
   
3. Advertisements for which an application is always needed (known as “express consent”).
   
   You usually need consent for virtually all hoardings, illuminated signs, facia signs and projecting signs on shop-fronts or business premises which are higher than 4.6m above ground level, as well as most advertisements on gable ends. You also need permission for signs advertising goods not sold at the premises where the sign is being displayed.

• The latest Regulations and Guidance are contained in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 (320Kb pdf) and the Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers (1Mb pdf)

The standard conditions in the regulations for all advertisements is that they are kept clean and tidy and in a safe condition. They must have the permission of the site owner including the Council on highway land. They must not block the view of road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs and they must not be so permanent that they cannot be removed if required.

Pre-application Advice

The Council has introduced a chargeable Pre-application Advice service which is designed to provide consistent, quality advice on proposed developments.

For more information on the Pre-application Advice service including fees for non-householder proposals and the Customer Charter, see the Pre-application Advice and Charges page.

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