Two non-illuminated signs at Morrisons, Western Approaches, Eastwood
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Southend Planning Committee on 24 Jun 2026.
What was proposed
Two existing non-illuminated signs would advertise electric vehicle charging and CCTV, with the advertising sign’s height altered and another sign removed.
“Advertisement consent is sought for installation of one non-illuminated free-standing, post- mounted sign advertising that electric vehicle (EV) charging is offered at the site (the Advertising Sign) and one non-illuminated, pole-mounted sign informing that Closed Circuit Tele-Vision (CCTV) operates in the area (the Information Sign). Both signs are currently on site but it is proposed to alter the height of the Advertising Sign.”
“The application is an amended proposal following refusal of application 25/01731/ADV (the 2025 Application) for installation of two non-illuminated free-standing post mounted (advertising) signs, one non-illuminated mounted (information) sign and two non-illuminated flag signs. The differences between the applications are:”
Officer report
The site
The signs are in part of a Morrisons car park serving the supermarket and nearby commercial units, beside an area mainly residential in character.
“The application site is part of an existing car parking area serving Morrisons Supermarket and a number of commercial units adjacent to the supermarket, including a public house. The site itself relates to a stretch of 13 parking spaces to the northern side of the car parking area.”
“The surrounding area, other than the commercial units to the east of the site, is mainly residential in character. The site is not subject of any site-specific policy designation.”
Officer report
Earlier applications
An earlier signs application was refused because the signage was considered excessive, visually dominating and harmful to the streetscene and wider area.
“Table 1: Relevant Planning History of the Application Site Reference Description Outcome [Date] 26/00369/AD Application for approval of details pursuant to condition 03 (soft landscaping details) of planning permission 25/01456/FUL dated 12.02.2026 Details Approved [08.06.2026] 25/01731/ADV (the 2025 Application) Install two non-illuminated free-standing post mounted signs, install one non-illuminated mounted sign, install two non-illuminated flag signs Refused [03.02.2026]”
“The existing advertisements by reason of their size and siting have resulted in unnecessary proliferation of advertisements at the site and are considered to be visually dominating and to have an overbearing appearance on the Western Approaches streetscene. The proposed flags would further exacerbate the identified harm.”
Officer report
Why officers recommended approval
Officers considered the reduced height, fewer signs, existing landscaping and commercial setting would provide acceptable visual amenity and public safety effects.
“Both the Information Sign and the Advertising Sign, face the car parking area of the commercial uses. The proposed 0.7m reduction in the height of display is a positive alteration compared to the previously refused application. Due to the height reduction, the signs would only be partially visible from the Western Approaches streetscene; the existing landscaping would be shielding some views. The signage as proposed would reflect the commercial character of the site.”
“It is considered that the signs, due to their location, height, scale and appearance would have an acceptable visual impact on the character and appearance of the site, the Western Approaches streetscene, and the wider area. No impact is anticipated in terms of aural amenity. The proposal is therefore acceptable and policy compliant in these regards.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
No letters of representation were received, and Environmental Health raised no objection; the application was called to committee by two councillors.
“Public Consultation 4.1. A site notice has been displayed. No letters of representation have been received.”
“This application was called in to Planning Committee by Cllr Cowan and by former Cllr Hyde.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee granted advertisement consent subject to standard and additional conditions, with an informative requiring the approved signage to remain unilluminated.
“That ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT BE GRANTED subject to the standard conditions set out in Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 and the additional conditions listed below:”
“The signage hereby approved shall not be illuminated.”
Minutes
Sources
- Southend Planning Committee minutes, 24 June 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Southend's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Southend Planning Committee
- Council
- Southend
- Date
- Wednesday 24 June 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Southend committee decisions →
This committee's year
40 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 8 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.