Plea to call time on 'intense' Staffordshire pub signs
Residents have complained about signs and adverts put up at a Stafford pub – claiming they 'clutter' the area and are too 'intense'.
Bosses at the Staffordshire Bull in Bradshaw Way, Parkside, have now submitted a retrospective planning proposal which will be decided by the borough council today.
The application is for several new signs – which have already been installed – including the free-standing hanging sign and the blackboard attached to it, the letters spelling out 'The Staffordshire Bull' on the side of the pub itself as well as poster boards.
Three black Edwardian lanterns are also listed in the planning request.
Councillor Jonathan Price, who has called in the issue for debate by the committee, said his only issue was with signage on the eastern side of the building facing several residential properties.
He said: "It looks directly at neighbouring houses whose only view is a dirty great big black wall which doesn't advertise the pub to anybody.
"I haven't got a problem with signage generally, it is a business and I have the utmost respect for business. I just feel the signs on the eastern elevation needs to be refused.
"It is completely unnecessary and serves no purpose.
"If you drive passed you can't see it. The residents directly affected by it have all raised objections."
Prior to the meeting, planning officers recommended the signs be permitted stating they made the area look better.
Although their report also listed complaints from neighbours claiming the advertising made for a 'cluttered appearance'.
Some of the lighting was also described as 'intense' and not 'in keeping' with the nearby by homes.
The officer said: "The newly erected signage is considered to have significantly improved the appearance of the establishment.
"Although some signs are replicated on both elevations, it is considered that the number of advertisements is satisfactory and, furthermore, the replicated signs are poster cases/blackboards which are likely to hold separate information for the majority of the time.
"It is therefore not considered that the advertisement has resulted in a cluttered appearance.
"Furthermore, the signage is considered to be appropriate in terms of design and scale for such a building."
No-one on behalf of the Staffordshire Bull was available for comment.
