MANSFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Report of Corporate Director
To
PLANNING COMMITTEE
On
4th July 2011
APPEAL DECISIONS
APPLICATION NO. 2010/0831/ST
PROPOSAL: APPLICATION FOR LISTED BUILDING CONSENT FOR
RETENTION OF A SHOP SIGN.
SITE: 57 WEST GATE, MANSFIELD, NG18 1RU
SUMMARY OF THE DECISION: The appeal was dismissed and the Local
Authority’s decision to refuse Listed Building Consent was upheld.
MAIN ISSUES
The main issues for consideration were the impact of the shop sign upon the listed
building and the setting of the listed building in the West Gate Conservation Area.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
57 West Gate a grade II listed building and dates from C1790 with late 19 th century
and late 20th century alterations. The building is located in the West Gate
Conservation Area within Mansfield Town Centre, towards the northern end of West
Gate, and is defined as secondary shopping area by the Mansfield District Local
Plan 1998.
The shop sign which is the subject of the appeal is a framed plastic sign, with green
and black lettering on a white background.
LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY RECOMMENDATION / DECISION
The Chairman/Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee were presented with a
report recommending refusal of Listed Building Consent on 26 th January 2011. The
Chairman/ Vice Chairman concurred that the application could be determined under
delegated authority and Listed Building Consent was refused for the following
reasons:
(1) The sign is contrary to Saved Policy BE3 [28/09/2007] of the adopted Mansfield
District Local Plan. The plastic fascia sign is considered to adversely affect the
building’s character, architectural merit and historic interest. The fascia sign is
visually intrusive and harmful to the character and appearance of the listed building.
(2) The proposal is contrary to saved Policy BE14 [28/09/2007] of the adopted
Mansfield District Local Plan. The sign is contrary to criteria 1 by reason that the use
MANSFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
of a plastic fascia sign would be visually intrusive and harmful to the visual amenity
of the West Gate Conservation Area and the character and appearance of the listed
building.
(3) The proposal would be contrary to guidance contained within Interim Planning
Guidance Note 4 – Shopfront Design and Security. The use of a plastic fascia sign
is visually intrusive and harmful to the visual amenity of the West Gate Conservation
Area, and the character and appearance of the listed building.
INSPECTOR’S VIEW
The design of the sign is not unattractive and it fulfils its obvious purpose but the
plastic sign is out of keeping with the historic host building and detracts from the
historic quality of the setting.
Other signs attached to historic buildings are wooden painted signs, more in
harmony with the historic character of the Conservation Area and it is considered
that design standards in the area need to be maintained, in order to ensure that the
qualities of the Conservation Area are preserved and to encourage its enhancement.
While other plastic signs are to be found in the vicinity, and while the Inspector was
conscious of the economic implications of this decision, concluded that the harm
done to the historic building and the street scene in this case outweighs the benefits
of the project.
CONCLUSION
The Inspector concluded that the sign is contrary to Saved Polices BE3 and BE14
[28/09/2007] of the adopted Mansfield District Local Plan and that the sign is visually
intrusive and harmful to the visual amenity of the West Gate Conservation Area and
the character and appearance of the listed building.