Illuminated care home sign at Barchester Care Home, Stubbington

What was proposed

The application sought a downward-lit, single-sided post sign advertising the care home and its entrance.

“Site Description 2.1 This application relates to signage for a new care home currently under construction, located off Stubbington Lane. The site was formerly an Industrial Estate and was granted permission to be redeveloped as a care home in 2021.”

“Description of Proposal 3.1 Planning permission is sought for the construction of downward trough static illuminated post and panel sign. Set to the front/West of the new Barchester Care Home (currently under construction), advertising the site and the entrance.”

Officer report

The site

The care home is under construction on a former industrial estate, surrounded mainly by homes, with a public house and airfield nearby.

“The site is predominantly surrounded by residential properties, however there is also a public house with illuminated signage and an airfield in close proximity to the site.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Permission was granted for the care home in 2021 and for other illuminated directional signs on the site in 2024.

“Relevant Planning History 5.1 The following planning history is relevant: P/20/1597/FP Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a care home Approve 25/11/2021”

“P/24/0837/AD Installation of 3x externally illuminated single sided post mounted directional signs and 1x non illuminated fascia mounted individual letters Approve 16/08/2024”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended five-year advertisement consent because the sign was acceptable in principle and would not harm design, living conditions or highway safety.

“The key policies of relevance to the proposal include: Policy D1 (High Quality Design and Place Making) and Policy D2 (Ensuring Good Environmental Conditions) and the Design SPD. The provision of the signage at this site to advertise the location of the care home and its site entrance are considered acceptable in principle, and necessary to ensure the location of the care home is evident for users of the site travelling along Stubbington Lane.”

“The proposed sign is modest in size, and not dissimilar to various other signed advertising care homes around the Borough. The sign would be lit with a trough LED light, which would have static illumination and directed onto the sign frontage. This would ensure the sign and lighting would be clearly visible for those passing the site, without causing a distraction to highway users.”

Officer report

Highways consultation

The Highway Authority raised no objection because the sign was away from highway sight lines, subject to an illumination condition.

“Local Highway Authority - Hampshire County Council 7.1 The Highway Authority consider the sign to be in a suitable location, away from the highway and visibility sight lines and note the maximum candelas of 250 per square metre (cd/m2). The Highway Authority raise no objections to this application, subject to a condition.”

Officer report

Objections raised

Five addresses raised concerns about appearance, light, highway safety, parking, access and effects on nearby properties.

“Representations 6.1 Letters of representation have been received from five different addresses which raise the following planning concerns:”

“Signage/advert not in keeping with the character of the area • Overly commercial appearance, out of character • Light pollution • Waste of energy • Light spill and illumination into properties • Impact on highway safety • Illumination should be non-static and low intensity • Illumination should be switched off between 21:00-07:00 • May attract additional visitors – causing parking overspill • Confusion over highways and private access • Impact on house value…”

Officer report

People who spoke

The committee received deputations, and officers reported one further comment that raised no new matters.

The committee vote

The officer recommendation was carried with seven members in favour and none against.

“Upon being proposed and seconded the officer recommendation to: -”

“Was voted on and CARRIED. (Voting: 7 in favour; 0 against)”

Minutes

The final decision

Five-year advertisement consent was granted subject to the conditions, with authority delegated to the Head of Planning to modify them if necessary.

“(i) Advertisement Consent for Five Years be GRANTED, subject to:-”

“(ii) AUTHORITY BE DELEGATED to the Head of Planning to: -”

Minutes