REPORT
Planning Application No: 63/2009/10035
7 Day Notice: YES
1.
Site Description
1.1
The application site is located at on the western edge of the built up area of the
town in area of mixed residential and commercial land use, and is situated on the
southern side of Gargrave Road adjacent to the roundabout entrance to the Skipton
Auction Mart and Skipton Building Society offices.
1.2
The site to which the advertisement signs relate comprise a roughly triangular
shaped plot of grassland bounded by Gargrave Road to the north, the Auction Mart
entrance to the south and east, and a pair of semi-detached house to the west.
The site is used in association with the nearby Craven College for dry stone walling
tuition/demonstrations.
2.
Proposal
2.1
This is a retrospective application for the display of two sign boards to identify the
site as “The Centre for Dry Stone Walling” and contains the logos of the supporting
local bodies. Both signs are flat panels 2500mm x 610mm in size, with dark green
lettering on a grey background. One sign is to be located on the side of the Mart
access road junction (facing east), the second on the Gargrave Road frontage.
Both are mounted on the boundary timber fence and do not project above it.
3.
Planning History
3.1
None directly relevant to the current application.
4.
Planning Policy Background
4.1
National planning guidance contained in PPG19.
5.
Parish/Town Council Comments
5.1
Skipton Town Council: “No objection”.
6.
Consultations
6.1
NYCC Highways: No objections or observations.
7.
Representations
7.1
One letter of objection from a local resident, referring to Gargrave Road being an
attractive approach into the town. However, the comments contained in the
correspondence relate to criticisms of Craven College and their alleged failure to
properly maintain a section of boundary wall further to the east of the site, rather
then any reference to the impact of the signs.
7.2
The Civic Society comment that they do not object to the signs in principle, although
they comment on the accuracy of the wording (not a material planning
consideration), and the layout of the logos on the sign (a very minor point in relation
to the planning considerations).
8.
Summary of Principal Planning Issues
8.1
The impact of the advertisement signs on visual amenity and public safety.
9.
Analysis
9.1
The signs in question relate directly to the use of the adjacent land (and the nearby
college) as a centre for dry stone walling, and are relatively discreet in the street
scene by reason of their size, position and colour finish. The surrounding area is of
mixed character being on the edge of the town, semi rural, but with a number of
nearby business premises. In this setting the signs in question are not held to be
dominant or incongruous features, and it is not considered that any significant harm
is caused to the amenities of the area.
9.2
There are no objections to the advertisements from the County highway authority,
and it is not held that the signs prejudice public safety.
10.
Recommendation
10.1
Approval.
11.
Summary of conditions
11.1
Standard advertisement conditions only.
12.
Reasons for approval
12.1
Having regard to the character of the surroundings and the design, size and
position of the advertisement signs, it is not considered that the proposals will have
an adverse material effect on the amenities of the area, or public safety; therefore it
is held that there are no reasonable grounds to withhold consent.