Wellingborough Council to remove 'unsightly' signs

The signs - a 6 metre plastic and aluminium illuminated fascia sign, and a smaller projecting sign - were put up without planning consent and are out of keeping with the town centre conservation area. In May 2009 the owners of the shop, Cenk Demir and his mother Kiraz Demir, appeared at Wellingborough Magistrates Court and were fined £150, but still failed to remove the signs. The court has now agreed that the signs must be removed and Wellingborough Council is legally able to do so.

Current planning law and regulations governing conservation areas state clearly that councils have a duty to protect their character and appearance. The insistence upon the removal of these inappropriate signs is, therefore, clearly in line with both the spirit and the letter of the law.

Councillor Graham Lawman, Chairman of the council's Development Committee said:
"Wellingborough has a rich heritage, and we believe that preservation of this heritage is crucial. People should be free to appreciate the historical beauty of the town without it being blighted by ugly and unsightly advertising signs. Wellingborough Council believes that the way our town looks is an important part of its regeneration. We have extended the conservation area, we have introduced a shop front design guide, and we've recently been awarded a significant amount of lottery money to help us make sure our regeneration is heritage-led. As this case proves, we will also where necessary use enforcement measures to make sure our history is protected.

Councillor Lawman went on to say:
"We do understand that the owners of Delight Kebabs want to run their business successfully, and it's a shame when cases like these end up in the courts. We have tried to work with them over the past five years to find a more sympathetic solution but to no avail. The signs will be removed next week and we are more than happy to talk to and advise the owners about more appropriate alternatives."