Illuminated business sign at Hague Bar Works, Hague Bar, New Mills

What was proposed

The application sought consent to illuminate an existing stainless steel sign on the west gable of an industrial premises.

“The sign is currently in-situ. Consent was granted for the sign to be displayed under application HPK/2023/0553, however a condition was attached to that decision which restricted the sign from being illuminated. This application seeks to illuminate that same sign.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The commercial premises lie among residential properties, beside a railway line, and outside settlement boundaries in countryside and Green Belt.

“The application site is an established commercial premises located off Hague Bar, New Mills. To the north, east and west of the application site are residential properties. A railway line runs along the southern boundary. Beyond the railway line is a children’s play park and allotments.”

“The site is located outside of the defined settlement boundaries in an area designated as Countryside and Green Belt.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the illumination would harm the rural landscape, visual amenity and character of the area.

“The proposed illumination of the advertisement is considered to have a harmful urbanising impact on the rural landscape, resulting in visible intrusion into the and appearing as an alien feature for the locality, causing harm to the character of the area. Whilst the Council appreciates that the applicant is attempting to increase the presence of the business, it is considered in this instance that the harm caused to visual amenity would outweigh this. 7.9.3.”

“The proposed illumination of the advertisement is considered to have a harmful urbanising impact on the rural landscape, and appearing as an alien feature for the locality, causing harm to the amenity and character of the area.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and the town council raised no objection, while environmental health asked whether the illumination level was suitable for the location.

“Derbyshire County Council Highways: • No objection. The illumination of the proposed sign, at 350 cd/m2, is within the recommended maximum in accordance with PLG05 for the location of the sign. • Recommended that the illumination of the sign is conditioned. New Mills Town Council: • No objection. High Peak Borough Council Environmental Health:”

“Need to determine whether the level of illumination is appropriate for its location, having regard to guidance such as that from the Institute of Lighting Professionals.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

One resident objected over amenity, policy, dark spaces and the sign’s incongruous appearance; another found it well designed and unobtrusive.

“Object: • The proposal does not comply with policies EQ3 and EQ6 of the Local Plan and the aim to protect amenity through sensitive siting and good design within Chapter 12 of the NPPF. • Consent was granted for the sign, but not for it to be illuminated. However the sign has been illuminated and has been reported to the Council's Planning Enforcement Team. • Lighting like this contributes to the decline of dark spaces and has a wholly negative effect on wildlife.”

“The business does not operate in darkness save for a couple of hours in darkest winter. Not object: • The sign is well designed and suits the new building materials. • The lighting, while bright enough to enhance the sign at night, is not at all intrusive.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant addressed the committee.

The committee’s decision

The committee refused advertisement consent as set out in the report and delegated limited wording changes to the Head of Development Services.

“That advertisement consent be refused as set out in the report.”

“That in the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Development Services be delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.”

Minutes