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Clifton and Hotwells
Improvement Society (CHIS)

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CHIS Streetscape- advertising

Maggie Shapland
fish bar
Distinctive fish and chip shop in Princess Victoria Street.

Streetscape- the term which describes all that one sees in a street in addition to buildings, such as pavements, street furniture, traffic and other signs. Whereas attention is often paid to preserving buildings, especially in Conservation Areas, the streetscape is often overwhelmed by unecessary clutter and poor workmanship.

Modern planning policy generally discourages street advertising in residential areas. In conservation areas, planning policy reinforces and emphasises the street advertising restriction.

We object to all applications that are for

National and Local policy relating to Advertising(updated 22 February 2013)

Examples shown:

Externally illuminated signage

April 2015: 15/01780/LA Externally illuminated signage and external building decorations.

Richmond Spring Hotel 33-37 Gordon Road Clifton Bristol BS8 1AW. Listed Building. Withdrawn
Richmond
Currently		 Richmond
Proposed

Internally Lit signs

14/01552/LA and 14/01541/A proposed external signage. Exterior signage 106 Whiteladies Road Bristol BS8 2QY

3 No. new fascias to replace existing, new projecting sign, welcome sign, 2 No. car park signs and website and phone detail to internal glazing.
signs
Listed building with non lit signage		 signs
Proposed

Originally, the proposal sought to install a variety of external signage on the property. This signage however involved internally illuminated box fascias and projection signs, alongside elements of acrylic and window vinyls. This was deemed inappropriate on the building and within the Conservation Area, and the scheme was therefore amended to three non-illuminated fascia signs constructed of powder coated aluminium with fret cut, powder coated aluminium letters. The revised projecting sign will be non-illuminated and again constructed of powder coated aluminium. The other signage on the property (car park signs and welcome sign) will consist of powder coated aluminium tray panels. All window vinyls and graphics have been entirely removed from the application.

13/03852/A | Internally illuminated hanging sign. | 44 Whiteladies Road Bristol BS8 2NH

The proposed hanging sign is considered an inappropriate and jarring feature that would detract from the appearance of the listed building and wider street scene, to the detriment of the visual amenity of the Whiteladies Road Conservation Area. Refusal is therefore recommended.

RECOMMENDED REFUSED The following reason(s) for refusal are associated with this decision:

1. The proposed projecting sign, because of its scale, means of internal illumination and internally lit perspex feature would represent a discordant addition to the building. As such, it would be detrimental to the special interest of the Grade II Listed Building and the visual amenity of this part of the Whiteladies Road Conservation Area, and is contrary to the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2012), policy BCS22 of the Bristol Development Framework Core Strategy (June 2011) and Policy Advice Note 8 (PAN8) 'Shopfront Guidelines' (1997).

Plastic Advertising applications in a conservation area

Use http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/ or http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/planning-and-building-regulations/planning-applications-online to object. Planning applications have suffix A on their application number.

Litfield House 1 Litfield Place Bristol BS8 3LS

gromit
August 2013: Metal plates to be replaced by perspex
The proposed nameplates to the gateposts, by virtue of their fixing method, materials, and proliferation, would cause harm to grade II* Listed features of merit (gateposts), harm to the setting of the grade II* Listed Building, and harm to the character and appearance of this part of the Clifton Conservation Area. These visual amenity impacts are contrary to section 67 of the National Planning Item no. Policy Framework.
August 2013: Application No. 13/03214/LA: Proposal Replacement of existing signboard. Installation of new nameplates to gateposts at exit and entrance gates.
August 2013: Application No. 13/03215/A: Proposal V shaped sign post to replace existing main signage and new nameplates to be mounted on gateposts.
V shaped sign granted

Advertising Flags Application

24 July 2pm: Granted at Development Control (Central) Committee. Displayed permanently for 5 years since Tyndall Avenue of limited visual merit within the Conservation Area context.
May 2013: 13/01954/A 8 flags on existing lamp posts on Tyndall Avenue, within the University of Bristol Precinct

March 2013: 13/01089/A 20 flags on existing lamp posts on Woodland Road and Tyndall Ave, within the University of Bristol Precinct. Woodland Road And Tyndall Avenue Bristol. Withdrawn since Woodland Rd would have warranted refusal on character impact grounds. Woodland Road, a grand tree lined Avenue of Large Historic buildings, is considered particularly sensitive and important within the Conservation Area context. The introduction of lamp post banners along Woodland Road is not considered appropriate. It is also acknowledged that a number of similar applications across the city, albeit for commercial advertising, have been resisted. It should however be noted that each proposal must be considered upon its own merits.

plastic flags plastic flags

These cause visual clutter in a conservation area. We have objected, as have the Civic Society

Litfield House

Feb 2013: Application No. 13/00251/A
Litfield House 1 Litfield Place Bristol BS8 3LS
Proposal Two vinyl banner signs fixed back to two white painted metal freestanding frames using cable ties and eye bolt fixings. Signage will advertise products and services offered by Litfield House Medical Centre.

litfield house banners

It gained its tasteful board in 2004 (04/04515/A Erection of 1 no. non illuminated, free standing sign) which is perfectly in keeping with the property. The application is for two additional plastic banners which are each a massive 3 metres by 1 metre on each driveway.
This is a Class 2B advertisement for a profession which exceeds .3 square metre in area, and there is more than one. There already is one acceptable sign, so there should not be any more because the property has frontage in one street. Each new banner exceeds the .3 square metre limit by 10. Thus on both counts is unacceptable.
The banners are very large and incongruous, made of plastic and are not in keeping with the conservation area, and do not enhance the building which is grade II*. The eye will be detracted from the pleasant trees and garden.

Reason for refusal: The proposed signage, by virtue of its scale, siting and materials (vinyl) would have a significant detrimental impact upon the setting of a prominently positioned Grade II* Listed Building, as well as causing harm to the character and appearance of this part of the Clifton Conservation Area. This is contrary to section 67 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Flags throughout the city

CHIS have a call in for the case officer for the Advertisement applications (11/01453/A, 01457/A & 01452/A) for the lamp post flags to ring me - sounds appalling and it is not just in our area, it is all over the City! As you will see there is no case officer allocated and there are no plans available either on the number link or ukplanning.com Refused

Excessive advertising


excesive advertising
3 A boards, one huge banner, two flags, two tasteful noticeboards! on a grade II* listed building in a conservation area

Unauthorised Advertising


hoardings advertising
The large sign and indeed the signs attached to the hoarding do all require Advertisement Consent. (Policy B2, B11, B13 of Bristol Local Plan, BCS21, BCS22 of Bristol Core Strategy, DM31 Bristol Development Policy, National Policy PPS17, Planning Policy Guidance 19: Outdoor Advertisement Control)
This was covering a grade II* listed building. Such an application would pass to a planning officer to consider who would undertake the assessment on the merits of the sign when tested against policy. The application will also be subject to public consultation.
banner advertising
Both advert (due to the size and location) and listed building consent would be required for the two banner advertisements at the properties. It is a prosecutable offence to display adverts without consent. Given that both properties are listed buildings, consent would not be granted for these adverts. To avoid prosecution, Enforcement asked to ensure that the banners are removed by a specified date. Enforcement then visited the site, and both signs have been removed now. They also secured the removal of two large banners that were attached to the railings of Litfield House Medical Centre, which was the subject of another complaint by a local resident.

Large Plastic banners are not appropriate in a conservation area, nor attached to listed buildings.

Boyces Avenue

Heavy and unsightly A Boards obscuring and damaging a grade II* listed gate
Boyces Avenue gate
Evening time		 Boyces Avenue gate
Day time

Unsuitable shop sign

Oct 09: Several people complained to the Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society about the new façade of Baryahs convenience stores at 22 Regent Street, and presumably to the Council too. This is a grade II listed building and adjacent to Royal York Crescent.
Baryahs
No planning permission was requested to change the façade, and we all think it should be more tasteful. This is a convenience stores and post office, not an off license. We asked them to have a more discrete and fitting sign for the area. Their old sign referring to Baryah's was far more suitable. Facade changed

A boards

The full A-boards policy document can be found at: http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/transport-and-streets/board-guidelines Or contacting City Transport at Bristol City Council requesting the document either by:
Phone: 0117 903 6701
Fax: 0117 903 6540
Email: city.transport@bristol.gov.uk
Write to: City Transport, Bristol City Council, Wilder House, Wilder Street, BRISTOL BS2 8PH

All businesses are permitted to have one A-board outside their premises subject to signs placed on the public highway would need to leave at least 1.8 metres of clear footway

Any instances of obstruction must be reported to Bristol City Council email: streetscene.enforcement@bristol.gov.uk. Guidelines Guidelines leaflet

Enforcement action will be taken where these guidelines are not complied with under existing Highway Law.

A boards A boards
A boards
Too many even on a narrow pavement. Just how many signs do you need to say the same thing? There is a marked increase in the number of boards being placed on pavements, which are a difficulty for those with impaired vision. This is a matter which should be addressed by the City Council. CHIS asked Phil Cotham (Council Official) to speak to Cllr Janke and in the meantime everyone should be urged to go into the shops to point out the difficulties.


too big so blocking narrow pavement especially when a cycle parked too!
pavement parker
or a car


Why have a sign in the middle of the pavement with no writing on it to say what it is for?


detracting from beautiful lamppost

Removal of original wall adverts

original wall advert
The owner of number 50 Princess Victoria Street has performed a wanton act of vandalism? by removing original lettering from the walls of his garage, only hours after being uncovered. The lettering referred to Mr Sibley, wagon and carriage proprietor (from 1876-1901), who also took in wagons and horses. The Evening Post was informed as was the Civic Society.

Telephone boxes

telephone advertising
viisual clutter		 clean telephone box
advertising removed		 clean telephone box
advertising removed adjacent to listed terrace

Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) 2007 Regulations Class 16: advertisements on telephone kiosks. Allows the display of an advertisement on the glazed surface of a telephone kiosk, other than a kiosk of type K2 (1927) or K6 (1935) designed by Giles Gilbert Scott.
No advertisement may be displayed in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Conservation Area, a National Park, the Broards or an Area of Special Control of Advertisements; Illumination is not permitted. With the exception of the name of the electronic communications code operator, its trading name or symbol, no advertisement may be displayed on more than one face of the kiosk.

The Bristol City Council Enforcement team secured the removal of the adverts on the boxes in Clifton Down Rd, Guthrie Road and Victoria Square. They gave BT a month to remove the signs or to submit an application to retain them. They were subsequently removed.

Scruffy phone booths. This one in Queens Road was provided by Interphone You can report Report Graffiti and Fly-posting very easily on the Council website. Unsolicited advertising is classified as fly-posting. The Council are usually very good at removing them quickly.

Shopfronts


Battered shop fascia board. Maggs House in Queens Road, got planning permission early 2004 to replace their boards. They finally taken it down in March 2005

Grade II listed. 2013: An application to install an internally lit fascia board on this traditional wooden shopfront was amended after concerns by CHIS and the Civic Society. Considered not generally suitable in a conservation area and especially on a listed building! Traditional shopfronts are a feature of Clifton village.

Planners response: Following officer concerns with the proposed signage, revised plans were submitted amending the proposal. It is now proposed to retain the existing timber fascia board and paint the fascia. The projecting signs are now proposed to comprise timber material and would take the form of a traditional hanging sign that is fixed to a simple bracket above. None of the signage would be illuminated.
The National Planning Policy Framework (2012) states that poorly placed advertisements can have a negative impact on the appearance of the built and natural environment. The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 states that a local planning authority shall exercise its powers under these Regulations in the interests of amenity and public safety. Considering the application building's heritage status and its location within a designated Conservation Area, policy BSC22 of the Bristol Development Core Strategy applies.

Agents boards


multiple estate agents' signs.

You can report Report Graffiti and Fly-posting very easily on the Council website. Unsolicited boards that are not not actively used to let or sell a property are classified as fly-posting. The Council are very good at removing them very quickly particularly if the agent is a perpetual offender. Eg
Street Namexxx, Bristol
Report TypeFly-posting
LocationOther house or flat
Surfaceother/unknown
Above Head HeightYes
Description estate agents board advertising for properties to let. The board has been there for several months without a stated purpose
OffensiveNo
Description of Location on a post on a prominent corner of number 1.

Advertisements being placed on vehicles.


Look out to report illegal adverts on the Downs and I hope perhaps some of you will as well.
Provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 enable the Local Planning Authority to take action in such matters.

It states the conditions under which advertisements can be controlled. It goes on at length about express and deemed consent but the part found to be most interesting was Schedule 1 on Page 18 of the Regulations, which gave the classes of advertisements to which the rest of the Act did not apply. Class B in this section was "An advertisement displayed on or in a vehicle normally employed as a moving vehicle" but the condition under which these vehicles are not subject to the regulations is that "The vehicle is not used principally for the display of advertisements.-'

The vehicles usually complained about are used principally for the display of adverts They sit in the same place for weeks and only move when someone complains- Their design is often such that they cannot carry goods - just a driver and one passenger. Therefore, it seems clear that they should comply with the regulations.

We must, take steps to ensure that these firms are not allowed to use the Downs or other areas as a site for free advertising hoardings. It would also be brilliant if the information could be shared with Council staff so that they know that, even if a vehicle is taxed and parked legally, it should not be used principally for the display of advertisements and can be required to move.

The Planning Enforcement department will investigate such matters when they are brought to their attention.
Contact directly by writing to the following: ­plannninq.enforcement@bristol.gov.uk (telephone 9222604) stating :- the location of the vehicle, its registration number and the details of the company being advertised. They will then set up a case and take the appropriate action. Guide to outside advertising and signs

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