Colchester Council order M&S Stane Park to remove sign

Marks and Spencer in Stane Park, Colchester, first applied for planning permission to put up an illuminated sign on the building last August.

Colchester Council refused the proposal but the sign was still put in place. 

Impact – it is said the sign would make the area unattractive (Image: Google Maps)

The council said it would have a “detrimental impact on visual amenity,” meaning it would make the area around the retail site unattractive.

The council added how the sign would be seen from the A12 next to the site and would be more visible in winter months when the tree shed their leaves.

M&S bosses appealed the decision in November, however, lost the appeal after a planning inspector ruled in favour of the council.

Denied – the council and inspector raised concerns over the impact the illuminated sign would have in the darker winter months (Image: Google Maps)

Inspector Peter Eggleton noted the building and the sign is visible from the A12 westbound slip road, the westbound carriageway when nearby and from the Penguin Parade housing area.

Mr Eggleton also noted how the sign would be visible from the A12 in darkness hours during winter, concluding it would “result in harm with regard to visual amenity”.

As a result the sign must be removed, with Colchester Council saying it will work with M&S to come up with a new design.

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A council spokesperson said: “The inspector’s decision has concluded the illuminated sign in question would detract from the visual amenity of the area.

“In essence, they determined Stane Park had been thoughtfully designed to ensure it was screened by trees from the A12 and adjoining homes.

“The illuminated sign would highlight the presence of the development, which goes against the design ethos applied to minimize its visual impact on the locality.

“Therefore, the sign must be removed, and the planning service will work with M&S to achieve a visually acceptable impact on this part of Stanway.

“It is essential to maintain the visual integrity of the area, and the removal of the illuminated sign is a necessary step towards achieving this goal.

“The careful consideration of the impact of development on the surrounding environment is crucial, and the decision made by the inspector reflects this.”

M&S said it will be in touch with the council about the sign.