Signs are part of public spaces. As such, they must adhere to local planning guidelines and regulations. These can vary widely depending upon the local area, with issues such as heritage, competition, and health and safety being core considerations. In this article, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about signage and planning permission.
Signage guidelines is the blanket term that refers to all rules and regulations relating to signage. These are typically set in place by multiple stakeholders, including the Local Council (LC), building owners, and leaseholders. Guidelines oversee key aspects of external signage including size, placement, appearance, and illumination. As a formal process, this is dictated by timelines, and there is help and guidance available to help you with your compliance.
Most large-scale external signage installations require planning permission. There are a few very good reasons for this, most of which will ultimately benefit you. For instance, the materials, size, and position of the sign will need to be approved, and this can remove a lot of stress regarding accountability. Your LC will have very clear criteria regarding how big signs can be, where they can be positioned, and if and when you can illuminate them. You can use this to advantage when designing your external signage, as producing signage that is appropriate to the environment is one of the secrets to successful branding.
Local councils have to comply with competition law. This is a dense and wide-reaching set of legislation that ensures that businesses are not given an unfair competitive advantage through advertising. As with the other aspects of planning permission, advertising consent dictates signage aspects such as size, materials, positioning, and details about lighting. The overall agenda is for your signage to complement and harmonise with the surrounding businesses rather than unfairly dominating the space. Although this can feel restrictive, it is more attractive to consumers, who generally prefer a balanced aesthetic and reflect this in their brand loyalty.
Health and Safety legislation relating to signage is extensive. There are practical considerations to ensure that the signage does not collapse, fall, or cause structural risks. Additional factors include ensuring that the signage does not obstruct walkways or fire exits, and this includes placement that may affect the visibility of escape pathways. Potential interference with traffic signals is another area that planners will explore. The combined result is trustworthy signage and clear accountability.
Each local council has its own rules regarding illumination. Some parts of the country have ‘dark zones,’ which are in place to protect local wildlife. This generally involves a curfew when all lighting is switched off. Ascribing to this type of rule is easily achieved with automatic timing systems. Other lighting considerations involve ensuring that your signage is not so bright that it causes a distraction, especially around roads and in residential areas where light pollution may interfere with sleep. Reducing your illumination is energy efficient, and therefore can result in financial rewards as well as communicating a sustainable ethos.
To ensure compliance while maximising the marketing potential of your exterior retail signage, please get in touch with one of our experienced design and installation team today.