Billboards campaign
I think that I shall never see
a billboard lovely as a tree.
Perhaps, unless the billboards fall,
I'll never see a tree at all.
Ogden Nash
US humorist & poet (1902 - 1971)
BILLBOARDS Campaign The campaign to get rid of the advertising hoardings in St Werburghs has been going for over 2 years - Over 800 people signed a petition which was presented at a full council meeting, we held a public meeting. The turn out was excellent, with council planners, Councillors, members of Ivy Church, local business and concerned residents all contributing.
What has emerged is that one of the hoardings is unlawful having been refused planning permission over 12 years ago. The council have the ability to remove this one fairly quickly. Most of the other boards have planning permission that dates back to the 1970s and 80s. This means that discontinuance notices have to be served on these hoardings, and the council must prove that their presence is damaging to the area. The case for removing the boards around the Mina rd roundabout is based on detriment to visual amenity, and is strengthened by the fact that so much money and effort has gone into improving the area through the renewal scheme. Another factor working in our favour is that the area around Ivy Church has recently been designated part of the Montpelier Conservation Area making the presence of hoardings here inappropriate.
Whilst the planners have agreed that we have a strong case, lack of resources within the enforcement team means that so far they have not taken it any further but we need to continue to put pressure on the council to move things forward. The process may be a lengthy one, but we feel confident that we have a strong case and with the support of residents, local business and the planners we will see the billboards removed.