Guidance to the use of Advertising Boards on highways
This page explains the procedure applying for for consent to display an advertising board on a highway.
The Council is continuing its programme of pedestrianisation in the town centres, using high quality paving and street furniture. The overall aim of these works is to enhance the environment and to attract people and businesses into the town centres.
One of the many benefits of pedestrianisation schemes is that quite large areas of the town are virtually vehicle free. This creates a safer environment for people to shop and socialise. Businesses are obviously keen to advertise their goods or services and there has been a marked increase in advertising or "A" boards in the town centre in recent years. However, the placing of an "A" Board in the highway could be classed as wilful obstruction, and the provision of "A" boards on the highway needs to be regularised and controlled by the Council.
The legal position with regard to such consents is summarised below, and whilst the explanation is quite lengthy, it is helpful to explain the position as fully as possible.
Planning and highway considerations
- An "A" board is an advertisement for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992, and requires express consent of the Council.
- Firstly, any person who wishes to place an "A" board on the highway must obtain advertisement consent from the Council acting in its capacity as the planning authority for the borough. Please refer to the
Advertisement Boards on the Highway page.
- In considering an application for advertisement consent, the planning authority will have regard to the effect on the amenity of the locality and public safety.
Secondly, an applicant having obtained advertising consent must also obtain the Council's consent, acting in its capacity as highway authority for the borough. To apply for highway consent, please contact Streetpride
- The highway authority will consent to the display of "A" boards on the highway where advertising consent has been granted and the applicant enters into an agreement with the highway authority, on terms and conditions specified by the authority.
- The highway authority will require the immediate removal of an "A" board, or physically remove it where it endangers public safety. The "A" board will also be removed from the highway where advertising consent has not been granted, or the highway authority's consent has not been given.
- There is no fee attached to the consent of the highway authority.
Penalties
- It is an offence to contravene the planning acts and is punishable, upon conviction at the magistrates' court by a maximum fine on level 3 of the standard scale (currently £1000) and, in the case of a continuing offence £100 per day following conviction.
- It is an offence under section 137(1) of the Highways Act 1980 to wilfully obstruct the highway. This offence is punishable upon conviction at the magistrates' court by a maximum fine on level 3 (currently £1000).
Guidance for the Siting and Location of "A" Boards
1. Where at all practicable, the "A" board should be sited directly adjacent to shop frontages, i.e. within 600mm from the shop frontage, be sited wholly within this area and at least 1.8m of clear footway past the premises should be retained free from all obstructions.
2. The siting of "A" boards in line with existing street furniture outside shop frontages may also be acceptable depending upon location.
3. Only one advertisement per normal shop/commercial premises frontage (up to 6m wide) should be proposed.
4. The advertisement should be at least 1m from the entrance door, be placed within the length of the premises and be a minimum height of 1m and a maximum height of 1.2m.
5. Where multiple occupancy premises share joint accesses, the principles set out in 1-4 should apply.
Further information
Should you require any further information on how to apply, please contact Streetpride.
Sitemap
