Unauthorised Adverts

Displaying unauthorised advertisements in south Warwickshire could land offenders in court with a fine. That's the message from Stratford-on-Avon District Council after another successful prosecution this year by its Planning Enforcement Team.  

Magistrates recently fined Enterprise Inns, the owners of the Bell Inn at Salford Priors, £600 plus £600 costs for displaying an unauthorised sign in the a Conservation Area, and have subsequently handed down an Absolute Discharge to the Licensee for the same matter.  

"This case recognises the importance of protecting the environment from unauthorised advertisements, and the importance of obtaining consents where necessary," said Cllr Stephen Thirlwell, the District Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning.  

"People who display unauthorised advertisements and threaten the character of the District, risk legal action and significant penalties. This case was particularly important because it centres upon a Conservation Area where such signage can have a significant impact. It is also important to recognise that the beneficiary of an advertisement is as much at risk of being prosecuted as the owners of the property."  

The unauthorised display of advertisements is an offence, which is punishable by a fine of up to £1,000, with fines of up to £100 for each day the advertisement is displayed thereafter.    

In 2005, the District Council required the removal of an illuminated advertisement that had been erected without consent on the forecourt of the Bell Inn at Salford Priors, replacing an original sign that was considered to have added value to the Conservation Area. The owners declined to remove the advertisement, and made an application which was subsequently refused. Negotiations to have the sign removed were not successful.  Following the instigation of legal action by the District Council, the owner pleaded guilty to the offence on 22 March 2007, and removed the sign. The Licensee, Ms Carter, did not initially accept her responsibility for the removal of the sign, but pleaded guilty on 24 May 2007.