North Ayrshire Council

May 2007 to April 2012

Department Legal and Regulatory Services

1. Description

This application is for Advertisement Consent for the erection of one internally illuminated single-sided free standing unit, one internally illuminated single-sided pole mounted unit and one internally illuminated double-sided free standing unit to the petrol filling station at Shell Ardeer, Stevenston.



The application site relates to a petrol filling station situated to the west of the Hayocks roundabout at the junction of Glencairn Street and Townhead Street, Stevenston.

It is proposd to erect

1. an internally illuminated single sided free standing unit adjacent to the exit onto Townhead Street. It would be situated to the east of the exit, would be 1.9 metres high, 1.3 metres wide, 0.13 metres deep and would be mounted on a 0.6 metre high plinth. The signage would be internally illuminated by fluorescent tubes with a maximum luminous of 658 candelas per square metre. The sign would be illuminated from dusk to dawn and would be activated by light sensitive photo cells. The exterior frame of the signage would be dark brown.
2. an internally illuminated single sided pole mounted unit adjacent to the existing totem sign, which is to the south of the entrance to the petrol station from the Hayocks roundabout. It would be 1.9 metres high, 1.3 metres wide, 0.13 metres deep and would be erected on a 1.8 metre high pole, giving a total height above ground of 3.7 metres. The pole mounted unit would be internally illuminated.
3. an internally illuminated double sided free standing unit would be erected adjacent to the exit onto Glencairn Street. It would be situated to the eastern side of the exit and would be 1.9 metres high, 1.3 metres wide, 0.17 metres deep and would be mounted on a 0.6 metre high plinth. The sign would be internally illuminated by fluorescent tubes with a maximum luminous of 658 candelas per square metre. The sign would be illuminated from dusk till dawn and would be activated by light sensitive photo cells. The exterior frame of the signage would be dark brown.

An application for advertisement consent for the erection of an internally illuminated projecting sign and internally illuminated ATM surround sign to the side of the petrol station (ref. /07/00106/ADC) was withdrawn on the 27th March 2007.

The application site is located within a residential area as identified in the North Ayrshire Local Plan (Excluding Isle of Arran). Policy TC 8 of the North Ayrshire Local Plan (Excluding Isle of Arran) states that the Council will control the display of advertisements in accordance with the approved Council Advertisement Policy.


2. Consultations and Representations

As this application is for Advertisement Consent there is no requirement for neighbour notification nor for the advertisement of the application.


Consultations:


Road Services - No objections. However, they have advised that the applicant should ensure that the sightlines are maintained when positioning the signs.






3. Analysis

The application site is located within a residential area as identified in the North Ayrshire Local Plan (Excluding Isle of Arran). Policy TC 8 of the North Ayrshire Local Plan (Excluding Isle of Arran) states that the Council will control the display of advertisements in accordance with the approved Council's Advertisement Policy.

The Council's Advertisement Policy acknowledges the powers available under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984. Circular 10/1984 highlights the fact that Regulation 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984 limits the exercise of the powers of control of advertisement solely to the interests of amenity and public safety.

It is considered that, given the existing signage in association with the petrol filling station, which includes the totem sign, signage for gas sales at the premises and directional signs, the erection of three additional signs would represent clutter, which would be contrary to the Council's Advertisement Policy. The Council's Advertisement Policy is against the proliferation of signs for reasons of amenity and, given the existing signage on site, it is considered that the proposed signage would create clutter and would, therefore, have a significant adverse impact on the visual amenity of area.

Whilst no public safety issue has been identified by the siting of the advertisements at this location provided that the applicant ensures that the sightlines are maintained when positioning the signs, it is considered that the proposed display units would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the area by reason of their number, size and visual prominence along Kilwinning Road, Glencairn Street and Townhead Street that all lead to the Hayocks roundabout. The area is characterised by residential properties and this is reflected in the Local Plan allocation for the area. It is considered that the erection of the pole mounted sign, which would have an overall height of approximately 3.7 metres, would be sited in a highly prominent position and would have a significant impact on the character of the residential area.

It is also considered that the advertisements may not relate to the premises at which they would be displayed and may be advance signs. Therefore, the proposed signs would be contrary to Policy TC 8 of the North Ayrshire Local Plan (Excluding Isle of Arran).

Accordingly, Advertisement Consent should be refused for the reasons contained in Appendix 2.





4. Full Recommendation

See Appendix 2. For further information please contact Julie Hanna, Planning Officer , on 01294 324330 JH/LN

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