Advertisements

Outdoor advertising is an important feature in the street scene.  As well as having the practical purpose of providing information about businesses, goods, events and other matters, its presence is often a great influence on the character and apperarance of an area.  The overall design of individual advertisements, their size, what they are made of, whether they are illuminated, the type of building they are on, their position on the building, the appearance of surrounding buildings, and their cumulative effect, are all important factors that need to be considered.

The advertisement control system covers a wide range of advertisements and signs, including:

• Fascia signs and projecting signs
• Posters and notices
• Placards and boards
• Advance signs and directional signs
• Pole signs and canopy signs
• Hoarding's
• Flag advertisements

The Regulations exclude some forms of advertisements from the Planning Authority's control. Some adverts also benefit from 'deemed consent' so that the planning authority's consent is not needed subject to the size, position and illumination of the advert. Other signs always need consent.

The Department for Communities and Local Government have produced a booklet entitled 'Outdoor Advertisements and Signs - A Guide for Advertisers', which aims to explain how the system of advertisement control works in England. The booklet is arranged in separate sections and there are numerous illustrations which may show you how the system affects the type of advertisement you want to display. A copy of the booklet can be downloaded from www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/outdooradvertisements.