Planning
MP&P are placing a significant emphasis on securing planning and taking a new approach to significantly increase the site’s chances of getting planning. This will ensure that a greater proportion of potential locations for advertising hoardings are granted planning consent and so built and generate an income.
One of the key drivers to increasing planning approvals will be creating iconic designs that are sympathetic to their surrounds.
Large format advertising is controlled by the rules made by the Secretary of State, which are part of the planning control system. The present rules are part of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 which has been in force since 6 April 2007.
All large format advertising, except those specifically excluded from the provisions of the regulations, must benefit from either deemed consent or express consent.
Deemed consent occurs when an outdoor advertisement is permitted for display without the planning authority’s specific consent if it comes within the provisions of one of the 14 classes specified in the rules. For example class 8, the most relevant for large format advertising, permits the display of poster hoardings, for 3 years only, when they are being used to screen building or construction sites whilst the work is being carried out.
The majority of large format advertising hoardings require express consent. An application must be made to the planning authority for the area where the advertising will be displayed. Planning permission can only be rejected on a basis of public safety and visual amenity, however historically the majority of planning applications made by other contractors are rejected.
If the planning authority refuse an express consent application for the advertising the result can be appealed to the Secretary of State.
