Agenda item

DM/17/03382/AD - Bannatynes Health Club and Hotel, Eden Terrace, Dragonville

Display of freestanding sign to north west corner of site.

Minutes:

The Planning Officer, Lisa Morina gave a detailed presentation on the report relating to the abovementioned planning application, a copy of which had been circulated (for copy see file of minutes).  Members noted that the written report was supplemented by a visual presentation which included photographs of the site.  The Planning Officer advised that Members of the Committee had visited the site and were familiar with the location and setting.  The application was for display of freestanding sign to North West corner of site and was recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

 

The Planning Officer noted site of Bannatyne’s Health Club and Hotel at Eden Terrace, Dragonville, being bounded by residential properties and woodland.  Members were referred to aerial photos and it was noted Members had attended the site, where an existing canvass banner style advertisement was in place.  It was noted that the proposed sign was of dimensions 4 metres by 3 metres, mounted on posts 1.8 metres to give a total height of 4.8 metres from the ground.  The Committee noted an image showing the proposed sign, a mixture of colours and imagery.

 

It was explained there had been representations from Belmont Parish Council in terms of the sign being too big and representing a distraction to drivers and therefore impacting upon highway safety and being contrary to saved City of Durham Local Plan Policies Q16 and Q17.

 

 

 

The Planning Officer noted that the sign was large, however it would set back away from the road and the Highways Section had offered no objections, and it was noted there were numerous examples of large signs at nearby car dealerships approximately 450 metres away.  The Planning Officer noted that saved Local Plan Policy Q17 was not being considered as that policy related to hoardings, and the application was for signage, covered by Policy Q16.

 

It was reiterated that the sign would be set back from the road and therefore it was felt it was in accord with Policy Q16.  It was noted that there was a proposed additional condition to ensure that the existing banner sign be removed.

 

The Chairman thanked the Planning Officer and asked Parish Councillor B Howarth to speak in objection to the application on behalf of Belmont Parish Council.

 

Parish Councillor B Howarth noted that Members of the Parish Council were extremely concerned as regards the proposed sign and added that if the proposal had been for a smaller and less complex image, comprising of simply the Bannatyne’s logo and the relevant contact details, then the Parish Council may not have objected to the application. 

 

Parish Councillor B Howarth added that the sign would be larger than the projector screens being used in the Council Chamber and noted that the width of the proposed sign would be greater than the road width in the first application considered by the Committee, 4.8 metres and 4.2 metres respectively.  She added that the proposed sign was next to a complex roundabout, with 3 junctions that split into 2 lanes and therefore drivers needed to be vigilant and not be distracted by large complicated signs.  It was noted there was not a history of accidents at the location, however, this was without such a large distracting sign in place.

 

Parish Councillor B Howarth reiterated that it was the size and nature of the sign that was being objected to, and that it was felt that the sign was inappropriate in terms of its location near to open fields that served the local community.  She added that it may be disputed as to whether the existing banner sign ever had the requisite permission and asked if the sign had been placed upon a Durham County Council owned fence without permission.

 

Parish Councillor B Howarth concluded by noting that the Parish Council would asked that the Committee refuse the application on the basis of it being contrary to saved City of Durham Local Plan Policy Q16 being a detriment to highway safety.  It was reiterated that the Parish Council were happy for Bannatyne’s to have advertising, however not at this scale, posing a distraction to drivers.

 

The Chairman thanked Parish Councillor B Howarth and asked Mr A Moss, Agent for the Applicant to speak in support of the application.

 

Mr A Moss noted he only had a few words to add to the good report and presentation made by the Planning Officer.  He noted the issues raised related to public safety and amenity.  In terms of public safety, Mr A Moss referred to the satisfaction of the Council’s Highways Section and also of Planning Officers. 

Mr A Moss noted that in terms of amenity, he agreed with the Officer’s report and added that he could confirm the Land Registry Title Reference Numbers in terms of the ownership of the land on which the proposed sign would be placed.

 

Mr A Moss concluded by asking the Committee to agree with the recommendation of Officers and approve the application, and noted that the applicant would be happy to accept an additional condition that required that the old banner sign be removed.

 

The Team Leader - Central and East noted that it was accepted it was a large sign and that if you were to stand up close it would appear to be of significant size, however, it was set back from the road and intended to be viewed from a distance, primarily by road users.  In terms of impact upon amenity, it was reiterated that nearby there were a number of large signs and the application could not be considered as being an application in the countryside.

 

The Team Leader - Central and East noted that compared to the existing banner sign the proposed sign was acceptable and reiterated that the Highways Section had offered no objections.  He added that he was not aware of any planning history in terms of the existing banner sign, however if the application was approved then the additional condition would ensure its removal.

 

The Highways Development Manager noted the issue of distraction to drivers was an interesting one.  He referred to Department for Transport studies that had concluded that signs were not distracting, looking at a number of different types including flashing and illuminated signs.  Members noted that recently Newcastle City Council had installed video advertising and the County Council had advertising displayed on roundabouts, which included contact telephone numbers.

 

The Chairman thanked the speakers and Officers for their comments and asked Members for their questions on the application.

 

Councillor D Brown noted he could only make out four words on the image of the proposed sign and added that drivers at the junction would be looking right and not at the sign and therefore he would support the Officer’s recommendation for approval.

 

Councillor D Freeman noted he did feel the sign was very large and ugly and actually unnecessary with the large Bannatyne buildings just behind and added he would not be supporting the application as he felt it was contrary to saved City of Durham Local Plan Policy Q16.

 

Councillor D Brown proposed that the application be approved; he was seconded by Councillor P Jopling. 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions detailed in the Officer’s report to the Committee and an additional condition for the removal of the existing banner sign.

 

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