Forecourt sign tussle 'damaging trade' claim
Richard Cutcher • Published 4 Feb 2012 10:00
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A COMPANY'S year-long advertising battle with the council is severely damaging its business, the owner claims.
Windsor Maidenhead Sauna Pool & Spa (WMSPAS) moved into Squires Garden Centre, in Maidenhead Road, in May 2010 but has been caught in a planning battle involving a trip to court and spats over sign sizes, forecourt legibility and interpretation of Government regulations.
WMSPAS claims it has 'deemed consent' to place a banner on the forecourt railings while the Royal Borough believes full planning consent is needed.
Jeff Remington, owner of WMSPAS, has had no advertising on the forecourt of Squires Garden Centre since losing a hearing in East Berkshire Magistrates Court on January 11, and said: "It has had an enormous impact on our business. Because of the nature of the business a lot of garden centre companies come and go.
"As soon as we took down the signs we had people asking if we were closed or closing. We need to have an advertising presence in view from the road because the forecourt sets us quite far back.
"We are trying our best to set up a new business and employ people in the area but it is being ruined by over-zealous planning officers."
Planning officers at the Royal Borough have offered to assist, and even fund, a planning permission application from Mr Remington. But he points to 2007 regulations which state any business with a forecourt can display "advertisements to draw attention to the business carried out on the premises" without express planning permission.
Suki Coe, Royal Borough development control manager, said: "The council is working hard to assist Mr Remington to resolve this situation.
"We have explained that there is nothing in any regulations which allows him to put up the type of advertising needed for his business by deemed consent - and that he needs to submit a planning application if he wishes to do so.
"To date, we have not received any such application from him."
This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 03 Feb 12
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