Firm ordered to remove hoardings

A billboard firm has been ordered to take down two advertising hoardings on Glasgow Road.

Primesight erected the two 29m squared hoardings last year and then applied for retrospective planning permission.

However, South Lanarkshire Council knocked back the application after concerns from residents living across from the site, near the junction with Dukes Road.

Primesight took the case to the Scottish Government, but they last week threw out the appeal.

An appeal could still be made to the Court of Session on a point of law, but Primesight have confirmed to the Reformer they will not pursue this route.

A number of people on Silverbanks Road complained about the hoardings, saying the glare was hitting their homes.

They also said they had not been notified and questioned the suggestion they were part of an existing structure.

Among those to object was Councillor Richard Tullett, who said the number of hoardings in the area was excessive.

Reporter John H Martin agreed, saying: “The size, scale and visual prominence of the hoardings have a detrimental impact on the character and amenity of this essentially residential area.”

A spokeswoman for Primesight said: “We are extremely disappointed with South Lanarkshire Council’s decision to refuse planning permission, and the subsequent appeal refusal by the Scottish Government.

“Billboards provide much-needed advertising space to local businesses. However, we respect the planning decision and the billboards will now be removed.”