We have noticed an increasing prevalence of pavement signs and banners displayed across fences/hedges. A resident also brought us a complaint about the issue, citing two particular pavement signs and a significant increase in the size and prominence of the sign for a well-known local business.
We contacted the owners of these three advertisements. The tradesmen who owned the pavement signs and were very co-operative, said they'd not realised they were not permitted and removed them promptly.
If only everyone would be so compliant.
So - are they legal? Well the law isn't that easy to understand on this issue, but you can read the Government guidelines for yourselves here.
So, you now know, that many of the signs and "outdoor adverts" displayed around the village - and, of course, most of the rest of the country - do not qualify for having "deemed consent" and therefore require planning permission before being displayed.
None of you are likely not to have noticed the recently erected notice advertising the new development off Ribblesdale Drive.
Yes - this one, pictured right.
We have approached the company themselves, who advise us they are in discussions with Preston City Council. We are also aware that a (at least one) complaint has been lodged with Preston City Council's Planning Enforcement facility.
This one is of particular concern, as being away from the development in question, it has been reported to us as causing distraction to drivers and is unquestionably an ugly eyesore in the village.
So - perhaps you might like to let the developer know your views: Wainhomes website
And/or you might like to make your feelings known to Preston City Council: PCC's website
We ask that you do read the guidelines on what is and is not legal. Ensure that you comply with the rules.
In discussions with the lovely person who raised the issue with us - she (and we) doesn't consider signs for community events or temporary notices advertising a contractor working on a property, displayed on the property in question, to be a problem. Indeed, many of these do fit one of the categories of having "deemed consent".
Let's try to stop Grimsargh becoming a cluttered mess of advertising and signage.