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Traffic safety

Digital Sign Approved Despite Council Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A planning inspector has allowed a digital sign to be installed at a petrol station in Worcester, despite concerns from the city council that it would cause a distraction to drivers. The Commandery petrol station had applied to install a 2.4-metre tall freestanding sign near its existing parking spaces off Bath Road, but the council had objected, citing concerns about "advertising clutter" and public safety. However, the inspector, P Brennan, disagreed, stating that the sign would not harm public safety and that its visibility would be obscured at most entrance and exit points from the site.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Commandery petrol station was granted permission to install a 2.4-metre tall digital sign near its existing parking spaces off Bath Road, despite concerns from Worcester City Council.
  • The council had objected to the sign, citing concerns about "advertising clutter" and public safety.
  • Planning inspector P Brennan agreed that the sign would not harm public safety and that its visibility would be obscured at most entrance and exit points from the site.
  • Conditions controlling the level of illumination and frequency of image change were imposed, including a 10-second limit on changing adverts and immediate power-off in the event of a malfunction.
  • Neighboring residents had raised concerns about an increase in advertising in the area, with Herma and Bill Porter stating that there were already six signs that were "too much, too bright and too big."

Statistics:

  • The proposed digital sign is 2.4 metres tall.
  • The council had previously allowed six signs in the area, which concerned neighbors about the increase in advertising.
  • The planning inspector imposed conditions requiring adverts to change no more frequently than every 10 seconds and to power off immediately in the event of a malfunction.

Sources:

  • "Read more: The rejected schemes in Worcester being decided by planning inspectors"
  • "Read more on plans for 30 new homes for village given the go-ahead"
  • "Read more on HMO expansion scheme dismissed by planning inspector"

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