Town centre shop's new illuminated sign allowed on appeal

Permission for a Horsham town centre shop's new sign has been allowed on appeal.
Bonmarche's new sign at its West Street store in HorshamBonmarche's new sign at its West Street store in Horsham
Bonmarche's new sign at its West Street store in Horsham

Bonmarché’s original application for an illuminated sign for its store in West Street was refused by Horsham District Council’s planning officers in July last year.

The internal white LED illumination creates a ‘subtle halo effect’ around the edges of the sign’s letters.

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Council officers argued the new signage was an ‘inappropriate and unduly prominent form of advertisement’ that is ‘considered to have detrimental impact upon the character of the Horsham Town Centre Conservation Area and the visual amenities of the street scene’.

But a planning inspector, who conducted a site visit, has reversed the council’s decision allowing the application on appeal.

In the decision report, the inspector said: “They are not intrusive or discordant with the host property or the wider area.

“The fascia sign is of proportions and materials that sit comfortably with the modern building, whilst the projecting sign is a small addition that does not appear inappropriate or prominent.

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“Illumination of the signs is appropriate in this commercial area, where I saw there are a number of other signs that are illuminated.

“When looking in views along West Street the signs do not appear at odds with the established character of the area, and they not disruptive to the street, nor harm the appearance of other buildings. In the context of the surrounding area, the signs have a suitably restrained presence in this commercial area.”

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