Derbyshire Dales District Council has successfully prosecuted a property owner for illegally displaying a neon advertisement without consent.

Heart Hotels who are the owners of The Olde English Hotel, Dale Road, Matlock pleaded guilty to a charge of displaying a neon advertisement sign contrary to the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 at Chesterfield Magistrates Court on 15 August 2007. Heart Hotels were fined £500 and ordered to pay the District Council’s full prosecution costs of £950.

Paul Wilson, Planning Services Manager at the District Council said “In order to maintain the attractiveness of the towns and villages of the Derbyshire Dales, it is essential that appropriate action is taken to secure the removal of unauthorised advertisements which detract from the character and appearance of the area is addressed. The District Council will not hesitate to take action against individuals in the future who display unauthorised advertisements.”