Chichester District Council is inviting people to share their views on planning rules relating to the display of estate agent boards within Chichester’s conservation area.
This is part of a public consultation, which will run from Friday 30 July until 5pm on Friday 10 September.
Councillor Susan Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, says: “As the planning authority for a large part of the Chichester District, one of our key roles is to identify ways in which we can help to protect our beautiful area and to preserve its character and heritage. The city of Chichester itself has a unique history and renowned architecture, and to ensure it is always looked after, a Chichester Conservation Area was created.
“Under the current rules, the display of temporary advertisements promoting the sale or letting of premises are allowed under ‘deemed consent’. This means that they are permitted without the need for prior approval or checks from the council.
“Over the past few years, a number of historic towns and cities, such as Bath, Winchester and Bristol, have updated their approach, removing this consent to help monitor the number and use of advertising boards in special places within their areas. Following a review of our own rules around this, we are proposing a similar approach for the Chichester Conservation Area, which would mean that estate agents would need to apply to the council for consent to display sales and lettings boards within this area.
“As a council, we are really proud of our city and want to protect its natural beauty, and this approach would enable us to better achieve this. Other advertising is already controlled within the conservation area and the council is now seeking to include estate agent boards, which would enable us to monitor the number and position of this type of advert.
“Not only do we believe this will help us protect the look and feel of the city, but this also responds to concerns raised to us from many local residents. As part of this consultation, we’re keen to hear as many views as possible and would encourage residents and businesses to have their say.”
More information, along with a map showing the conservation area, can be found at: www.chichester.gov.uk/letstalkplanning
Members of the public can submit their comments by emailing planning[email protected] between 30 July and before 5pm on 10 September 2021. Emails must be marked for the attention of Ms Sue Payne, Planning Officer (in the email’s subject field).
People can also post their comments to: Sue Payne, Planning Officer, Chichester District Council, East Pallant House, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TY.
The consultation closes at 5pm on 10 September 2021. All comments received as part of this consultation will be submitted to the Secretary of State alongside the council’s request that deemed consent be removed for the display of temporary advertisements relating to the sale or letting of premises on the land or premises to which they relate, within the Chichester Conservation Area for a period of 10 years.
