Health club told to get rid of advertising signs

A NATIONAL health club chain has been refused permission to keep two advertising outside its Burton premises.

Bannatynes Health Club, in Centrum East Retail Park, Eighth Avenue, Burton, had applied to East Staffordshire Borough Council for permission to keep two large freestanding non-illuminated signboards outside.

The boards, measuring 2.5m by 4.5m, popped up outside the store in November, last year.

The club applied for permission but the borough council stated in its National Planning Policy Framework that ‘poorly placed advertisements can have a negative impact on the appearance of the built and natural environment.’

Planning officers added ‘that consent will not be granted for the display of an advertisement unless it is of a design and materials that are acceptable in the locality, does not stand out as an inappropriate or unduly prominent feature or does not contribute to visual clutter in the street scene.

“The non-Illuminated double sided freestanding sign by way of its scale and siting presents an unduly prominent feature to the detriment of the character and appearance of the area.”