Sign firm is on collision course
Fobbed off in planning go- ahead attempt
A sign firm faces having to rip down its controversial flashing billboard from the entrance to Ayr.
Posterplus, who run the digital hoarding on Whitletts Road, are set to be turned down in their bid for new planning permission.
C o u n c i l o f f i c i a l s h av e recommended rejection of another five years advertising at the site.
They say previously agreed sign dimensions of 4m by 2.5m have now been altered to 4m by 3m.
And at a meeting tomorrow ( Thursday), they will argue the new sign “cannot be considered as a renewal of consent”.
Ayrshire’s Roads Alliance will also raise “significant concerns regarding the sign from a road safety perspective – specifically due to the potential for driver distraction arising from screen brightness and animation”.
And in a statement understood to have angered the Ayr- based sign company, the road bosses will say: “Ayrshire Roads Alliance is aware that Police Scotland shares these concerns.”
A spokesman for Posterplus said: “Clearly we are disappointed but also dismayed by the decision and hopefully common sense will prevail at the regulatory panel meeting and the licence will be renewed, or failing that at the appeal process with the Scottish Government.
“We note despite the Ayrshire Roads Alliance having no objections previously, and with in excess of 30 million cars passing the site over the last five years, the reverse decision is without any factual justification and zero testing from the ARA.
“Data supplied from Police Scotland under FOI substantiates our statement and this is solely a personal opinion that lacks any professional testing.
“We are encouraged with Environmental Health’s report and decision not to object and the Executive Director for Planning is fully aware Posterplus has adhered to the good neighbour agreement with regards to screen times and illumination levels.”
And he concluded: “We welcome the opportunity to continue supporting local Ayrshire businesses and charities.”