Fresh bid for advertising board outside Morpeth building approved
A fresh planning application for an advertising board in a prime Morpeth town centre location has received the green light.
The new bid followed an application earlier this year by the team that converted the former Brumell and Sample premises at 15 Bridge Street into five apartments to install freestanding electronic signage. This was turned down by Northumberland County Council planning officers.
They said it would have been inappropriate because “by virtue of its size, design and prominent position directly in front of a listed building, it would form an intrusive and incongruous feature that would harm the setting of the listed building and the character of the Morpeth Conservation Area”.
The team recently came back with a new application for a freestanding advertising sign that would be non-illuminated and would have no digital or electronic display.
The design, access and heritage statement, one of the documents submitted, said: “The proposed sign has been reduced in overall size to ensure it remains clearly subordinate to the host building and surrounding architectural features.
“The proposed A-board is positioned behind the existing railings, adjacent to the building frontage. This ensures it does not project into the pavement or interrupt key views of the listed building.”
County council planning officers have now approved the revised proposals under delegated powers.
Their report included the following: “The proposed signage, by virtue of its scale, design, and colour palette, is considered to be appropriate and sympathetic to its surroundings.
“The proposed advertisement is not considered to give rise to any highway safety concerns – including impacts on visibility, distraction to highway users, or obstruction of traffic signage or other safety-related equipment.”