Council refuses to allow 'obtrusive' sign for Sunderland Starbucks drive-thru and petrol station
City chiefs have put the brakes on plans for a towering sign advertising a new roadside services, slamming it as "over dominant" and "obtrusive". Sunderland City Council's planning department has rejected an application for a nine-metre-high "pylon sign" next to the A690, close to Rainton Bridge Business Park.
The applicant, EG On The Move, had sought permission for the sign featuring a directional arrow to promote a proposed development in the Rainton Meadows area, which is set to include a petrol station, electric vehicle charging hub, and a Starbucks drive-thru near the Rainton Arena. While the main planning application for the roadside services by EG Property Limited and Hamilton Willis Land and Developments is still under review, the separate proposal for the sign aimed to draw in motorists from the A690.
However, after a thorough assessment against planning policies, the council's planners turned down the application on October 10, 2024. In their report, they criticised the sign's "design, size and siting", arguing that it would be overly conspicuous and introduce a jarring element to the local street scene, harming the visual amenities.
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The council argued that the proposed signage's distance from the roadside services meant it was not "positioning of the signage is not considered to be incorporated with the advertisement site". The council decision report further stated: "The proposed signage is a large, illuminated free-standing sign which given its height, will be visible over a wide area and especially when viewed travelling north along the A690."
“The large sign does not relate well to the surrounding buildings and would result in an obtrusive and over dominant element within the street scene, to the detriment of the visual amenities of the area, particularly as there is residential opposite the proposed advertisement site”.
The applicant can challenge the council’s refusal by lodging an appeal with the Secretary of State. For more details on the planning application or council decision, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 24/01342/ADV.