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Purpose of PPS 17
NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Planning Policy Statement 17 (PPS 17) Control of Outdoor Advertisements Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) set out the policies of the Department of the Environment on particular aspects of land-use p
advertisementsplanning-policysite-planningScope and Application of PPS 17
NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
This Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 17 'Control of Outdoor Advertisements' sets out the Department's planning policy and guidance for the display of outdoor advertisements. It complements the Governm
outdoor-advertisementsall-building-typesRelated Policies for Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, and Townscape Character
NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The policy in this Statement should be read together with the following policies contained in PPS 6 'Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage': • Policy BH 9: The Control of Advertisements on a Li
conservationheritageoutdoor-advertisementsPolicy supersession and precedence
NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The policy and guidance in this Statement supersedes Policy DES 9 of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland. Where Policy DES 9 is referred to elsewhere in the Planning Strategy the policy a
outdoor-advertisementsIntroduction to Outdoor Advertisements Policy
1.0NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Advertising is a multi-million pound industry and now forms part of everyday culture, often adding colour to our streets. It is a good indicator of business health, can be a valuable source of informa
commercialpublic-buildingNature of Outdoor Advertisements
1.2NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Most outdoor advertisements are transient in nature as signage is regularly updated and premises change hands. Some advertisements are clearly temporary, such as signs notifying the public of a forthc
commercialBalance Between Advertising and Visual Amenity
1.3NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
All advertisements affect the appearance of the building or place where they are displayed. Given the potential impact of outdoor advertising on amenity, both positive and negative, there is a need to
commercialpublic-buildingIndustry Responsiveness to Commercial Needs
1.4NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The advertising industry is generally aware of ongoing change in the pattern of retail activity and it is the business of the industry to respond to the legitimate commercial needs of different busine
commercialDepartment Policy on Outdoor Advertisement Display
1.5NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The Department for its part wishes to ensure that care is taken with the display of outdoor advertisements so that they do not prejudice amenity or public safety, having regard to the specific circums
commercialconservationruralPolicy Context and Regional Development
2.1NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) seeks to promote employment and support economic development of the region while sustaining a high quality environment. The role of advertisements is not specif
non-domesticRoad Safety and Outdoor Advertising
2.2NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Road safety is a key priority for Government, and the Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy seeks to promote an integrated approach to the planning, coordination and delivery of the Government's road
Legislative Authority for Advertisement Control
2.3NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Article 67 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 requires the Department to make provision, by regulations, for restricting or regulating the display of advertisements so far as it appears to
Exempt Advertisement Categories
2.4NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Under the Regulations some types of advertisement are exempt from control by the Department provided certain conditions are met. Examples include election posters and most non-illuminated advertisemen
Deemed Consent Advertisement Categories
2.5NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Other specified categories of advertisement are deemed to be granted by the Regulations, commonly referred to as 'deemed consent', provided they conform to the stated limitations for each category and
Advertisements Requiring Department Consent
2.6NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
All other advertisements require the Department's express consent, commonly referred as consent to display an advertisement.
advertisementsplanning-controlOffence for Contravention of Advertisement Regulations
2.7NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Article 84 of the Planning Order states that it is an offence to display an advertisement in contravention of the Advertisement Regulations. Further information on this matter together with advice on
advertisementsplanning-controlenforcementDefinition of an Advertisement
2.8NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The Planning Order defines an advertisement as: "any word, letter, model, sign, placard, board, notice, awning, blind, device, or representation, whether illuminated or not, in the nature of, and empl
advertisementsplanning-controlStandard Conditions for Advertisements
2.9NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Under the provisions of the Advertisement Regulations all advertisements whether requiring the Department's express consent or not, with one minor exception are automatically subject to the following
advertisementsplanning-controlmaintenancePermission requirement for displaying advertisements
4NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
No advertisement may be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission.
site-planningProhibition on obscuring traffic signs and navigation aids
5NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
No advertisement may be displayed on or so as to obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any road traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air, or so as otherwise to rende
site-planningControl of advertisements under roads legislation
2.10NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
In addition to planning legislation, there are separate provisions within roads legislation for the control of advertisements. Article 87 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 makes it an offence
site-planningProhibition on resembling traffic signs
2.11NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Article 34 of the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 makes it an offence to display any sign which resembles a traffic sign on or near a public road.
site-planningPolicy Objectives for Outdoor Advertisements
3.0–3.1NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The main objectives of this Statement are to: • Ensure that outdoor advertisements respect amenity and do not prejudice public safety, including road safety; and • Help everyone involved in the displa
advertisingpublic-safetyamenitysite-planningPolicy AD 1: Amenity and Public Safety
Policy AD 1NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Consent will be given for the display of an advertisement where: (i) it respects amenity, when assessed in the context of the general characteristics of the locality; and (ii) it does not prejudice pu
non-domesticcommercialpublic-buildingJustification and Amplification for Policy AD 1
4.1NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The display of advertisements is an ever-increasing feature of our main streets and commercial centres, often adding colour and interest. Care, however, must be taken to ensure that an advertisement w
commercialconservationpublic-buildingCountryside and Heritage Protection
4.2NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Particular care is also necessary to ensure that advertisements do not detract from the unique qualities and amenity of our countryside nor diminish our archaeology and built heritage.
ruralconservationcontextLegal Basis for Advertisement Control
4.3NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Under the provisions of Article 67(1) of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 the interests of "amenity" and "public safety" are the only considerations that can be assessed in the exercise of advertisement c
Definition of Amenity
4.4NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
In relation to advertisements the term amenity is usually understood to mean its effect upon the appearance of the building or structure or the immediate neighbourhood where it is displayed, or its im
Good Design and Sensitive Siting of Advertisements
4.5NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
A well designed and sensitively sited advertisement, where thought has been given to size, colours, siting and levels of illumination, can contribute positively to the visual qualities of an area. All
Advertisement Clutter and Rationalisation
4.6NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
A large number of advertisements on a building or along a road can create clutter and be disruptive to the appearance and character of a area. When preparing designs for new signage or advertisements,
Matters to be Considered in Amenity Assessment
4.7NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
In assessing the impact of an advertisement or sign on amenity the Department will take into account all of the following matters: (a) the effect the advertisement will have on the general characteris
Visual Impact Assessment Criteria
4.7(c)-(g)NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
(c) the cumulative effect of the proposal when read with other advertisements on the building or in the surrounding area and whether the proposal will result in clutter; (d) the size, scale, dominance
non-domesticsite-planningexternal-spaceAdvertisements in the Countryside
4.8NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The amenity of the countryside is particularly important and there is a need to protect its unique qualities from the negative effects of advertising. The only advertisements likely to be acceptable i
ruralcommercialPublic Safety Impact of Advertisements
4.9-4.10NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Advertisements by their very nature are designed to attract the attention of passers-by and therefore have the potential to impact on public safety. 4.10 In assessing the impact of an advertisement on
site-planningPublic Safety Threats from Advertisements
4.11(a)NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The main types of advertisements which are likely to pose a threat to public safety are:- (a) those which obstruct or impair sight lines at corners, bends or at a junction or at any point of access to
site-planningSafety Considerations for Outdoor Advertisements
NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
(b) those which, by virtue of their size or siting, would obstruct or confuse a road user's view or reduce the clarity or effectiveness of a traffic sign or traffic signal, or those which would be lik
non-domesticcommercialpublic-buildingPublic safety assessment for advertisements
4.12NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
In assessing the impact on public safety, the vital consideration for the Department will be whether the advertisement itself, or the exact location proposed for its display, is likely to be so distra
public-safetysite-planningPositive contributions of advertisements to public safety
4.13NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The Department will also bear in mind that, on occasion, some advertisements can positively contribute to public safety, for example, by directing drivers and others to their destination.
public-safetySiting and illumination to mitigate hazards
4.14NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Thoughtful siting and illumination can overcome many of the potential hazards listed above. Public safety issues are less likely to occur where an advertisement is proposed within an existing industri
commercialindustrialpublic-safetyBrightness standards for signs
4.15NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
In assessing the brightness of signs, these will be expected to accord with the guidance contained in the Institute of Lighting Engineers Technical Report No 5 (2nd edition).
public-safetyConsultation on road safety
4.16NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Where appropriate the Department will consult other relevant public bodies who have an interest in the safe display of advertisements. In particular, the Department will take into account the advice o
public-safetyAdvertisements in Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character
4.17NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Specific policies for the control of advertisements affecting Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character (ATCs) are set out in Planning Policy Statement 6 'Planning, Archaeo
conservationlisted-buildingPurpose of Annex A Guidance
Annex A, paragraph 1NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The main purpose of this annex is to set out the Department's detailed guidance to provide a consistent basis against which to consider the display of different categories of advertisements. In drawin
commercialGuidance Approach and Principles
Annex A, paragraph 2NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
The guidance is not intended to be overly prescriptive, but is intended to advise applicants and commercial companies involved in promoting outdoor advertising how such advertising, if appropriately d
commercialPoster Panel Displays Definition
Annex A, paragraph 3NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Poster panel displays do not generally relate directly to the land or premises on which they are located. They comprise the more traditional paper posters on panels or hoardings, either freestanding o
commercialPoster Panel Displays Assessment Criteria
Annex A, paragraph 4NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Poster panel displays are a common feature of urban advertising and rely on size and siting for their impact. As a result they have the potential to be over dominant and obtrusive in the street scene.
commercialPoster Panel Displays in the Countryside
Annex A, paragraph 5NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Poster panel displays are out of place in the countryside and will generally be unacceptable. An exception may be made where the display advertises a particular event, such as a local agricultural sho
commercialruralPoster Panels in Villages and Small Settlements
6NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Large scale poster panel displays are generally out of place in villages and small settlements because of their potential to detrimentally impact on the visual amenity of these locations. Smaller post
ruralexternal-spacePoster Panels in Residential Areas
7NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
Poster panel displays are out of place in any predominantly residential locality. The priority in residential areas is to maintain local character and environmental quality and to protect the amenity
dwellingexternal-spacePoster Panels in Predominantly Commercial Areas
8NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements
In commercial areas the scale of buildings may be sufficiently large to accommodate poster panel displays without adverse effect on visual amenity. The scale of commercial and industrial surroundings
commercialindustrialexternal-space