Planning Enforcement Action in Oakham Unauthorised Signage Breaches Planning Law

Planning Enforcement Action in Oakham: Unauthorised Signage Breaches Planning Law

Rutland County Council has taken enforcement action against a local business, Barbers, located on Catmos Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6HW, for the unauthorised erection of illuminated and non-illuminated advertisement signage within a Conservation Area.

The Council's Planning Enforcement department has confirmed that the majority of the signage at the premises does not have the required consent, putting the business in breach of planning regulations.

An inspection of the site revealed that only specific, non-illuminated signs were compliant with "deemed consent," which applies to certain small, non-illuminated signs due to their size and positioning.

• Compliant Signs (Deemed Consent): Two non-illuminated signs, each displaying a single row of five pictures, located on the pillars immediately adjacent to the front entrance.

• Unauthorised Signs (Require Express Consent):

  • The illuminated fascia sign (the main sign on the front of the building).

  • The illuminated barber’s pole.

These unauthorised advertisements require express advertisement consent from Rutland County Council, which has neither been sought nor obtained.

Displaying advertisements without the necessary consent is an offence under Section 224 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). The law is clear that:

Any person who displays an advertisement, uses an advertisement site, or knowingly permits another to do so without consent is acting unlawfully.

As the regulatory body, the Council has the authority to take formal enforcement action, which could include prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court. 

The owner of the business has been advised in writing and verbally to remove the unauthorised adverts within 14 days. Failure to comply may result in formal enforcement action, including prosecution. While they are entitled to submit a retrospective advertisement consent application to regularise the situation, they have been informed that the Council would not support such an application.

Rutland County Council says:

It is hoped that the business owner will comply and work with us to ensure that only appropriate advertising is displayed on the building.