Advertisement Consent

What is an advertisement?

The term ‘advertisement’ covers a wide range of items, including:

• posters and notices

• fascia and projecting signs

• window stickers/vinyl

• models and devices

• estate agent boards

• balloon advertising and flags

• traffic signs

• town and village noticeboards

The Application for Consent to Display an Advertisement should be used for proposals to display an advertisement or sign.

Many advertisements and signs do not require consent from the local planning authority and the government has produced a helpful guide to what is permitted without formal consent. It may be helpful to refer to Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers before applying for Advertisement Consent.

This guidance is indicative and you are advised to consult the legislation to verify whether advertisement consent is required.

Please note: The guidance was produced before the advertisement regulations were amended to confirm Class 5 (business premises) adverts cannot exceed 1.55 square metre in area per advert.

For more information visit Planning Portal - advertisement consent

A-Boards

An A-board is an outdoor sign that businesses use to promote their brands, products, offers and discounts. It is designed to attract new customers, as A-boards act to boost footfall by signposting your premises to people walking past.

A-boards get their name from their ‘letter A’, which is the shape they resemble when looked at side-on. Whatever they’re made from, A-boards feature two flat sides with a connecting joint in the middle.

These flat sides provide double the advertising space of a regular sign, helping to attract people walking in either direction. They’re also sturdy enough to stay in place in most weathers on busy town and city centre surfaces.

The following guidelines will inform you of the rules when using an A-Board for your company or business.

Please note, if you are unable to meet the requirements needed for the A-Board, then advertisement consent will be required.

If Tendring District Council find that these guidelines are disregarded, they will have the authority, on behalf of Essex County Council (who are responsible for all public highways in the district) to remove them.

For any further information, please contact the Planning Enforcement Team directly on 01255 686120 or via email planning.enforcement@tendringdc.gov.uk

Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission

Advertisement consent is separate to requirements for listed building consent or planning permission. If the property is a listed building, listed building consent will always be required for advertisements or shop front alterations.

If you are unsure whether advertisement consent is required, please contact us on 01255 686161 to speak to a Duty Planning Officer for free initial informal advice.

Alternatively, you can submit a request for pre-application advice including the relevant fee, to obtain informal written advice. This will allow us to fully assess the proposal and confirm, in writing, whether the proposal would be acceptable and whether it would require planning permission and/or advertisement consent.

Shop Front Proposals

In addition to any new or amended signage, if you are also altering a shop front beyond a simple repair, this will likely require planning permission. Design considerations will be more complex if the premises is within a conservation area. If the property is a listed building, listed building consent will always be required for advertisements or shop front alterations. If in doubt, please use our Duty Planner Appointment Service or Pre-Application Advice Service.

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Useful Links

Advertisements - GOV.UK

Flying flags: a plain English guide - GOV.UK

A-Board Guidelines

Local Validation List

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