Council want to open dialogue over signage fine threat

In Wednesday’s edition of the Newry Reporter we told how the letter over the “alleged unauthorised signage” had explained that “it had come to the attention of the council that the above-mentioned advertisement is displayed without the benefit of consent as required under the Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (Northern Ireland).”

The letter added: “It has come to the attention of the council that the above-mentioned advertisement is displayed on land in your ownership without the benefit of consent as required under the Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

“The display of an unauthorised advertisement is an offence under Section 175 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.”

Those who have received the letter were told that they have 21 days to remove the signage.

“The council wishes to emphasise that, unless you undertake to put the matter right, you may be prosecuted,” it continues.

“The display of an unauthorised advertisement is an offence and on summary conviction can result in a heavy fine of a maximum of £2,500 with further daily fines of £250 for each day on which the advertisement continues to be displayed.”

One source told us that they were perplexed as to why the council had decided to take this course of action, particularly in the face of rising rates.

“And with rising rates and utility bills, you would think that the council would be doing its best to help Newry city centre thrive.

“But with threatening letters like this it would seem that’s not the case. Business is difficult enough at the moment without being hit with the cost of removing and erecting new signage.”

But a council spokesperson said that the local authority would want to speak to those affected in order to come to a resolution.

“As the Local Planning Authority Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has a responsibility to enforce the planning regulations within its council area. Under The Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 express consent is required to display an advertisement of the type referred to in your recent correspondence,” they said in a statement received by the Reporter on Thursday.

“To display an advertisement without the necessary consent is an offence under Section175 of The Planning Act (Northern Ireland).”

The spokesperson added that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has issued letters to five businesses in Newry recently.

"These businesses all fall within the Newry Conservation Area or an Area of Townscape Character where it is the policy of Council to protect and enhance these areas of special control.

“It should be noted that these letters are not formal enforcement action and have been issued as a means of opening up a dialogue to have the matters resolved. Council, in line with our Planning Enforcement Strategy, would welcome an engagement with each business on an individual basis to explore a remedy to the issues involved.”