Thursday, April 20, 2006

Councillor opposes further conservation zone sign application

A PLANNING application for a giant “for sale” billboard in the heart of Whickham’s conservation zone in Gateshead is being opposed by local Councillor, Peter Craig.

The sign has been standing outside the Chase Court development on Rectory Lane without planning permission for three years.

In a controversial move last month, Gateshead Council gave permission for a similar sign on the other side of the development to be renewed, despite having stood there since 2002.

“Most of the flats have been sold and we should be very careful about what goes into a conservation zone,” said Councillor Craig.

“The whole point of a conservation zone is to preserve the character of an area and that means no billboards, which effectively is what this is.

“Many residents of nearby Viola Terrace are fed up with having to look at this gigantic advert for McCarthy and Stone, the developers, from their front rooms.”

The decision on whether or not to grant planning permission for the sign will be decided within the next few weeks.

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