Most outdoor advertising requires consent with only a few limited exceptions. The law regarding the placement of adverts is complex. Displaying an advert without the necessary consent can result in prosecution by us. However, we can grant consent for a period of three years and deemed consent for certain categories. Most illuminated adverts need consent.

We can challenge any advertisement put up with deemed consent, requiring it to be removed if it is considered to have a negative affect on the area or public safety. The owner has a right of appeal to the Secretary of State. We are not responsible for the content of adverts. If you would like to comment or complain about the content of an advert, email the Advertising Standards Agency.

Advertisements are an important part of the local scene, well-designed advertisements can add brightness and bustle to commercial areas. However, cluttered, poorly designed, overlarge or brightly-lit advertisements can have an adverse effect on the environment.

The standard conditions in the regulations for all advertisements is that they are kept clean and tidy and in a safe condition. They must have the permission of the site owner including us on highway land. They must not block the view of road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs and they must not be so permanent that they cannot be removed if required.

Although many signs can be displayed without express consent, we have powers to control the most prominent outdoor advertisements under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 (as amended). You will need plannning permission unless your advert is allowed for in the Advert Regulations.

Our advertisement control powers are only exercisable in the interests of amenity and, where applicable, public safety. It is these considerations, rather than commercial need or advantage, which must be decisive in the determination of any advertisement application.

An advertisement is:

• posters and notices
• placards and boards
• fascia signs and projecting signs
• pole signs and canopy signs
• models and devices
• advance signs and directional signs
• estate agents' boards
• captive balloon advertising (not balloons in flight)
• flag advertisements
• price markers and price displays
• traffic signs
• town and village name-signs

Memorials and railway signals are not regarded as advertisiements.

There are three different groups of outdoor advertisement covered by the regulations.

• Advertisements which are excluded from control.
• Advertisements which have 'deemed consent' meaning an application is not needed provided you stay within certain rules.
• Advertisements where an application is always needed.

More planning information can be found on the central Government website:

• Information for Householders
• Information for Businesses
• Information for Farmers, further advice for farmers can also be gained from Business Link.
• Information for Outdoor Advertisements and Signs
• General information can also be found though the Planning Portal.