Advertising sign in Tullamore not exempted from seeking planning permission says Board
An Taisce described the sign as visual clutter
AN Bord Pleanala has ruled in favour of an appeal made to it in relation to a rolling advertising sign in O'Connor Square, Tullamore.
The sign which is located on the western side of the square is free standing and displays illuminated advertisements.
In his appeal to the planning body, retired architect and town planner, Fergal McCabe described O'Connor Square as the town's main public space. ''It is a formal space surrounded by elegant buildings, many of which are protected structures, and the public area has recently been redeveloped.''
He characterised the advertising structure as '' a prominent feature within the Square,'' and added.
''O’Connor Square is recognised as Tullamore’s principal civic space and contains the greatest concentration of protected structures in the town, including its oldest structure (1743) and its iconic Market House.''
Mr McCabe put the question to Offaly County Council as to whether the1.50 sq. m. illuminated rolling digital commercial advertising sign in O'Connor Square, Tullamore, is or is not development or is or is not exempted development. He said it was not disputed that a telephone box which is affixed to the sign is a permitted development, but he said the sign is not within any permitted Class and is specifically prohibited. He also pointed out that planning applications for similar signs in the square had been refused by the council.
He contended that ''despite the architectural and historical significance of O’Connor Square the advice of the County Conservation Officer was not sought'' and no proposal for the inclusion of digital signs was part of the public consultation for the Tullamore Street Enhancement Scheme, on foot of which the part pedestrianisation of the Square was carried out.
He said ''the sign, by virtue of its scale, location and constantly changing character is visually incongruous, disturbing and obtrusive and impacts negatively on the architectural quality of the Square. It is in material contravention of policy,'' he said.
An Taisce in its observation said, ''modern digital advertising displays are not appropriate to architecturally and historically sensitive locations such as O'Connor Square. It notes that the advent of mobile phones and smartphones in the 21st century has made public phones largely redundant. ''Since a public phone in this location is likely to receive very low usage, the question must be asked: what is the primary purpose of the fixture in O'Connor Square? • By virtue of its location, scale and illumination, it impacts adversely on the civic character of O'Connor Square and the appreciation of the architectural • It contributes to visual clutter and constitutes an obstacle to movement of pedestrians etc.''
In reaching its decision An Bord Pleanala said the digital commercial advertising sign is not incidental to or necessary for the phone box structure to which it is affixed and is not ancillary to the phone structure and there is no allowable exemption in legislation for an illuminated rolling digital commercial advertising sign of this specific nature and extent.''
Offaly County Council originally declared that the sign was a development but was exempted from seeking planning permission. It remains to be seen whether the structure will be removed or if a planning application will be lodged.