Flagrant flouting Sir – South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) is seeking to legitimise the advertising on roundabouts which it unlawfully erected five years ago.
Twenty-eight planning applications have been made by SODC in relation to their presently unpermitted commercial advertising on roundabouts in the district, some of which fall in conservation areas and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
CPRE Oxfordshire objected to this trashing of our countryside when the signs were first unlawfully erected, as being not only an inexcusable blighting of presently advertising-free countryside, but being directly contrary to the council’s own policy AD1. To erect these advertising signs on roundabouts was a knowing and flagrant flouting of planning controls.
SODC knew before it went ahead that planning permission was required, but deliberately chose not to apply for it.
Only now, are they allowing parishes and the public the say to which they are entitled (a public consultation runs until November 4). A growing number of local authorities are allowing advertising on roundabouts in the countryside as a means of raising revenue, despite the harm this causes both to the countryside and to road safety.
If these signs are permitted, CPRE understands that there will be a revised contract, under which the district council will receive up to a total of £8,400, depending on the contractor’s success in selling advertising space. Dr Helena Whall Campaign manager, CPRE Oxfordshire
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