Roundabout adverts row continues (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Roundabout adverts row continues

PLANNERS are standing firm over their view that advertising on Cirencester's Spaghetti Junction will cause a blot on the landscape.

Cotswold District Council refused permission for hoardings to be set up on the unsightly Hare Bushes roundabouts, because it felt they would have an adverse effect on the local environment.

The authority's cabinet was today (THURS) due to discuss the matter again and may consider adopting special guidelines to get around the problem.

But a report due to go before members said: "The four signs in question that were proposed were one metre wide and half a metre deep, but raised on posts so that the tops were just under one metre above ground level.

"They were considered to have an unnecessarily adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area.

"It is suggested that the council's Local Plan policy should not be changed.

"Rather, if the council wishes to be more encouraging towards the introduction of roundabout sponsorship, it would be preferable to develop a relatively simple protocol or guidelines, such as to control the location, number, size and design/materials of such signs so as to make them acceptable within - rather than being contrary to) the Local Plan policy."

Because roundabouts form part of the highway, they are generally the responsibility of Gloucestershire County Council.

The county authority has strict guidelines that advertising should not be placed on stretches of road where speeds are high, for fear they will distract motorists.

The report says that for this reason the only two main roundabouts in Cirencester suitable for advertising are at Hare Bushes.

However, CDC, as the authority responsible for planning, can refuse permission if it feels the advertising is contrary to the Local Plan.

If councillors decide to adopt special guidelines for Hare Bushes to get around the planning issue, further consultations will have to be held with both the county and Cirencester town councils.