Eight leisure park advertisements at Northern Gateway Leisure, United Way, Colchester

“Synopsis 2.1 The application seeks Advertisement Consent for the display of eight advertisements across the site in connection with the operation of the Northern Gateway Leisure Park.”

“Description of the Proposal 4.1 The application seeks Advertisement Consent for of eight advertisements across the site in connection with the operation of the Northern Gateway Leisure Park. Five signs are non-illuminated while three signs are illuminated.”

“Site Description and Context 3.1 The site comprises Northern Gateway Leisure, on United Way in Colchester (see site plan for location, orientation and relationship with neighbouring properties).”

“201631 - Redevelopment of the site to provide a Cinema (use class D2), active leisure units (D2), a hotel (C1), restaurants (A3) and/or hot food takeaways (A5), including drive through units, and/or a Public House (A4) in the alternative as well as flexible A3/A5, Approved May 2021.”

“260847 – Installation of fascia signage, projecting sign and digital menu. Application pending determination.”

“Public Safety: Paragraph 067 of the National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) advises that all advertisements are intended to attract attention, but proposals located where drivers need to exercise particular care are more likely to affect public safety. Examples include junctions, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, low bridges and level crossings.”

“The proposals comprise a combination of freestanding signs and banner signage. Whilst Signs 3, 7 and 10 incorporate internal illumination, the lighting brightness would be controlled via an appropriate condition (as suggested by Environmental Protection). This will ensure that the illumination will not give rise to glare, excessive brightness or light spill that could adversely affect drivers, pedestrians or other highway users.”

“Informative All work within, or affecting, the highway shall be laid out and constructed by prior arrangement with, and to the requirements and satisfaction of, the Highway Authority (Essex County Council), with all details being agreed before the commencement of any highway works.”

“Case officer comment: Given the nature of the application, it is not considered that the above recommended conditions and informatives from Environmental Protection should be applied, however, the following condition relating to illumination shall be applied.”

“Representations from Notified Parties 9.1 At the time of writing, no neighbour consultation comments have been received.”

“261063 Northern Gateway, Colchester The Committee considered an application for advertisement consent for display of eight advertisements across the site in connection with the operation of the Northern Gateway Leisure Park. The application was referred to the Planning Committee because the applicant was Colchester City Council. The Committee had before it a report in which all information was set out. The Recommendation was Approval subject to a set of standard conditions.”

“Standard Advert Condition Unless an alternative period is specifically stated in the conditions below, this consent expires five years from the date of this decision and is subject to the following standard conditions:”

“No advertisement shall be sited or displayed as to obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any road traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air or so as otherwise to render hazardous the use of any highway, railway, waterway or aerodrome (civil or military).”