Planning - advertisement control

Advertisements are an important part of the local scene, well-designed advertisements can add brightness and bustle to commercial areas. However, cluttered, poorly designed, overlarge or brightly-lit advertisements can have an adverse effect on the environment. 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.

Although many signs can be displayed without express consent, the council has powers to control the most prominent outdoor advertisements under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007. You will need planning permission unless your advert is allowed for in the Advert Regulations.

The council's advertisement control powers are only exercisable in the interests of amenity and, where applicable, public safety. It is these considerations, rather than commercial need or advantage, which must be decisive in the determination of any advertisement application.

An advertisement includes:

• Posters and notices
• Placards and boards
• Fascia signs and projecting signs
• Pole signs and canopy signs
• Models and devices
• Advance signs and directional signs
• Estate agents' boards
• Captive balloon advertising (not balloons in flight)
• Flag advertisements
• Price markers and price displays
• Traffic signs
• Town and village name-signs

Memorials and railway signals are not regarded as advertisements

More information

• Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers, (Department for Communities and Local Government website)

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