Hoardings crackdown

Published: 5 March 2010

• I READ with interest Robin Hardy’s letter about the council’s planning enforcement action to remove an illegal sign on the front of Budgens supermarket in Upper Street, Islington (Why pick on poster? February 26).
Planning matters are not always easy to understand, so I am happy to clarify the situation.
We will always investigate complaints we receive in order to provide a better environment for residents, regardless of whether it’s in a conservation area in Canonbury or a busy high street in Highbury.
The notice we required to be removed may have contained community information but we established quite quickly that it was being displayed without the necessary permission from Budgens, and that it was installed in breach of planning legislation.
Residents tell us that removing unauthorised advertising gives a cleaner look and feel to their borough and is important to them. So, in addition to taking action against unauthorised buildings, we’ll continue to enforce against illegal advertising too.
JAN HART
Assistant director public protection and development management, Islington Council