Illuminated Sign Rejected by Bangor Plannnners

Plans for a large illuminated digital sign in the centre of Bangor have been rejected after planners felt it could be “severely detrimental to highway safety”.

Cyngor Gwynedd turned down the 6.4m x 3.4m advertising display unit proposed on land adjoining Bangor Car Wash.

The application was made through the agent Graeme Hughes, of Limetree OOH Ltd, seeking consent was for the advertising board to be located at Enzone Fitness, Station Road, in Bangor.

The application described how the screen would display changing static images, with “no moving, flashing, or animated images”.

The applicants said: “The introduction of digital technology offers notable advantages, including enhanced flexibility in display content,
operational efficiencies, and a more sustainable approach to outdoor advertising. The removal of traditional printed posters results in reduced material use and energy consumption due to bi-weekly vehicle journeys to change posters thereby aligning with wider sustainability objectives”.

It was also stated the proposed display unit “will not obscure or cut across any significant architectural features, and will not harm the visual simplicity of the surrounding area”.

But in the decision to reject, issued on December 29, Cyngor Gwynedd planners said they had felt “the intermittent and illuminated nature of the proposed advertisement” combined with its size and close proximity to a nearby junction could result in a “visually dominant and intrusive feature within the highway environment”.

“It is likely to distract drivers and divert attention away from other vehicles, pedestrians, and highway users, and is a form of development which would be severely detrimental to highway safety” the decision statement said.

It was also contrary to planning policy, which rejected development that would cause “unacceptable harm to the safe and efficient operation of the highway”.

The planners also noted that the proposal, because of its size and prominent position in the street scene would have “a significant detrimental effect on the visual amenities of the area” and added that “no assessment had been carried out to establish whether the proposed sign would have an impact on the character and setting of an adjacent Grade II listed building”.