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Scope of Advertising and Signage Guidance
1.1.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
This Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provides advice and guidance specific to the display of advertisements and signage within Belfast, and is intended for use by developers, the public and plan
non-domesticcommercialPlanning Policy Framework for Guidance
1.2.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
This SPG represents non-statutory planning guidance that supports, clarifies and/or illustrates by example, policies contained within the current planning policy framework, including development plans
planning-policySection 130 of The Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011
2.1.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Section 130 of The Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 requires the council to make provisions, by regulations, for restricting or regulating the display of advertisements so far as it appears to be
advertisingExempt and Deemed Consent Advertisements
2.1.2Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Under the Regulations, some types of advertisement can be exempt from control by the council provided that certain conditions are met. Other specified categories of advertisement are deemed to be gran
advertisingTypes of Advertisements and Deemed Consent
2.1.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
This type of advertisements can be considered to fall into two camps, those where 'deemed consent' cannot be restricted, such as small plaques on business premises and non-illuminated advertisements i
commercialconservationOffence of Displaying Advertisements in Contravention
2.1.4Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Section 175 of the Planning Act 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 t
Definition of Advertisement
2.1.5Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The Planning Act 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 employ
Regional Development Strategy 2035
2.2.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The RDS provides regional guidance under the three sustainable development themes of economy, society and environment. It seeks to promote employment and support economic development of the region whi
Strategic Planning Policy Statement Core Principles
2.3.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The SPPS identifies core principles to assist with plan-making and decision taking. It recognises the need to support good design and positive placemaking, that good design contributes to the creation
Health and Wellbeing Considerations in SPPS
2.3.2Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Under 'Improving Health and Wellbeing', the SPPS also recognises that there are a wide range of environment and amenity considerations arising from development that may have potential health and well-
non-domesticsite-planningAdvertisement Control under Roads Legislation - Public Roads
2.4.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
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
non-domesticsite-planningTraffic Sign Resemblance Restrictions
2.4.2Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
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.
non-domesticsite-planningBelfast Local Development Plan Structure and Framework
3.1.1–3.1.2Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The Belfast Local Development Plan (LDP) provides the strategic policy framework for the plan area across a range of topics and sets out the vision for Belfast, as well as the objectives and strategic
advertisingsignageplanning-policyPolicy Context and Integration with Strategic Policies
3.1.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The Plan Strategy includes several overarching strategic policies which are to be used both as a guide to assist in delivering the key aims and objectives of the LDP. The diagram below illustrates how
advertisingsignageplanning-policyplacemakingPolicy DES4 - Advertising and Signage Overview
4.2.1, 4.2.2Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Policy DES4 sets out the main considerations the council will consider in assessing proposals for the display of outdoor advertisements that require the council's consent. The provisions of this polic
non-domesticcommercialDesign and Placement Considerations for Advertising
4.2.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Sensitively designed and positioned signage has the potential to enhance the character and appearance of an area, however care must be taken to ensure that advertisements will not detract from the pla
conservationnon-domesticPolicy DES4 - Advertising and Signage Requirements
Policy DES4Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Planning permission will be granted for advertisements and signage where it has been demonstrated that they: a. Are of good design quality, are located sensitively within the streetscape and do not ha
non-domesticcommercialconservationImpact of advertisements on building and place appearance
4.2.4Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
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
public-buildingcommercialTransient versus permanent advertisements
4.2.5Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
A large proportion of outdoor advertisements are transient in nature, with signage updated regularly to reflect change in ownership or building use. Temporary advertisements include estate agent board
commercialCouncil objectives for outdoor advertisements
4.2.6Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The council 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 circumstan
commercialProtection of heritage assets in advertisement control
4.2.7Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
In this regard, there is a particular need to protect the important townscape heritage assets, such as listed buildings and their settings, conservation areas and areas of townscape character. Therefo
commercialconservationMain objectives of Policy DES4 for outdoor advertisements
4.2.8Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The main objectives of Policy DES4 ensures that outdoor advertisements are of a good design quality and do not negatively impact amenity, avoid clutter, respect the setting of heritage assets and do n
commercialDesign quality and amenity for advertising and signage
4.3.1–4.3.2Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Advertising and signage form an integral part of the built environment as a means by which businesses draw attention to their goods and services. Care needs to be taken with regards to their design, s
non-domesticcommercialexternal-spaceconservationAmenity protection in countryside locations
4.3.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
In relation to advertisements and signage the term amenity is usually understood to mean their effect upon the appearance of the building or structure or the immediate neighbourhood where they are dis
commercialruralexternal-spaceAssessment criteria for design quality and amenity impact
4.3.4Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
In assessing the impact of an advertisement or sign in terms of design quality and impact on amenity, the council will take into account all of the following matters: • Position of advertisement/sign
non-domesticcommercialexternal-spaceImpact of advertisements and signs on amenities and heritage
4.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Impact of advertisement/sign, including its size, scale and levels of illumination on amenities of people living nearby, on designated heritage assets and their settings and the potential for light po
heritagenon-domesticsite-planningAvoidance of clutter in signage and advertising
4.4.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
A large number of advertisements or signs on a building or along a road can create clutter and be disruptive to the appearance and character of an area. When preparing designs for new signage or adver
site-planningnon-domesticAssessment of clutter impact
4.4.2Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
In assessing the impact of an advertisement or sign in terms of clutter, the council will take into account the following: Cumulative effect of the proposal when read with other advertisements and sig
site-planningnon-domesticRespecting heritage assets and their settings
4.5.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Advertising proposals affecting listed buildings, Conservation Areas, Areas of Townscape Character (ATC) or other areas of high amenity value require special consideration and sensitivity. The followi
heritageconservationnon-domesticHeritage impact assessment for advertisements and signs
4.5.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
In assessing the impact of an advertisement or sign on heritage assets, the council will take into account the following: • the effect the advertisement/sign will have on the general characteristics o
conservationheritagesignageRoad safety impact of advertisements and signs
4.6.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Advertisements and signs by their very nature are designed to attract the attention of passers-by and therefore have the potential to impact on road safety. In assessing the impact of an advertisement
road-safetysignagesite-planningTypes of advertisements and signs posing road safety threats
4.6.2Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The main types of advertisements and signs 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
road-safetysignagesite-planningTypes of illuminated signs that may be refused on road safety grounds
4.6.2(e)Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Illuminated signs: • Where the means of illumination is directly visible from any part of the road. • Which, because of their colour, could be mistaken for, or confused with, traffic lights or any oth
non-domesticcommercialMoving or apparently moving sign elements
4.6.2(f)Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Signs which incorporate moving or apparently moving elements in their display, especially where the whole message is not displayed at one time therefore increasing the time taken to read the whole mes
non-domesticcommercialSigns resembling traffic signs or directional elements
4.6.2(g)Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Those which resemble traffic signs because of their colour or content or those which embody directional or other traffic elements, and which could therefore cause confusion with traffic signs.
non-domesticcommercialSigns visible from motorways or special roads
4.6.2(h)Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Signs sited or designed primarily to be visible from a motorway or other special road.
non-domesticcommercialInterference with navigational lights or beacons
4.6.2(i)Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Those which cause possible interference with a navigational light or an aerial beacon.
non-domesticcommercialAssessment of road safety impact
4.6.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
In assessing the impact on road safety, a consideration for the council will be whether the advertisement/sign itself or its location is likely to be so distracting or confusing that it creates a haza
non-domesticcommercialRoad safety considerations for siting and illumination
4.6.4Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Thoughtful siting and illumination can overcome many of the potential hazards listed above. Road safety issues are less likely to occur where an advertisement/sign is proposed within an existing indus
non-domesticcommercialConsultation on road safety matters
4.6.5Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Where appropriate the council will consult other relevant public bodies, who have an interest in the safe display of advertisements/signs. In particular, the council will take into account the advice
non-domesticcommercialOverview of Advertisement and Signage Guidance
5.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The main purpose of this chapter is to set out the council's detailed guidance to provide a consistent basis against which to consider the display of different categories of advertisements and signs.
non-domesticcommercialPoster Panel and Freestanding Displays - Description
5.2.1Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Poster panel displays comprise the more traditional paper posters on panels or hoardings, either freestanding or attached to buildings, modern displays, including moving prismatic panels, and internal
non-domesticcommercialPoster Panel and Freestanding Displays - Potential Impact
5.2.2-5.2.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Poster panel displays are a common feature of urban advertising and rely on size and siting for their impact. They can have the potential to be over dominant and obtrusive in the streetscene, and as s
non-domesticcommercialruralurbanOverview of Advertisement Assessment Structure
5.1.3Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
The format adopted under each category includes a general description of the advertisement/sign type including information on where these normally occur, the potential impact that they can have and se
non-domesticcommercialPoster panels in villages and small settlements
5.2.4Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
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
advertisingsignageruralvisual-amenityPoster panels in residential areas
5.2.5Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
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
advertisingsignagedwellingvisual-amenityPoster panels in commercial areas
5.2.6Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
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
advertisingsignagecommercialvisual-amenityPoster panels in mixed-use areas
5.2.7Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
In a mixed use area, with shops and offices interspersed with residential properties, poster panel displays may on occasion be acceptable. They should be carefully related to the size and scale of sur
advertisingsignagecommercialdwellingvisual-amenitypublic-safetyLarge freestanding panels for land screening
5.2.8Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Large freestanding panels (generally 48 sheet displays or greater) are commonly used to screen derelict and untidy land. These sites can be a potential eyesore and, in many cases, a carefully designed
advertisingsignagevisual-amenityFreestanding displays at gateway locations
5.2.9Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage
Freestanding displays are also often found at airports, ports and other gateway locations where they generally provide information on the locality, local events and services.
advertisingsignage