Wren Kitchens , Unit 6, Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Lysander Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS34 5UD

Wren Kitchens , Unit 6, Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Lysander Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS34 5UD — South Gloucestershire Council — Appeal Decision Site visit made on 25 January 2022 by Rachael Pipkin BA (Hons) MPhil MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State Decision date: 27 January 2022 Appeal Ref: APP/P0119/W/21/3281969 Unit 6 Block B, Cribbs Retail Park, Lysander Road, Almondsbury BS34 5UL • The appeal is made under Regulation 17 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 against a refusal to grant express consent. • The appeal is made by Walker against the decision of South Gloucestershire Council. • The application Ref P21/04402/ADV, dated 15 June 2021, was refused by notice dated 11 August 2021. • The advertisement proposed is described as ‘3 no internally illuminated SMD LED Digital Display at Wren Kitchens, Unit 6, Cribbs Causeway Retail park, Lysander Road, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5UD’. Decision 1. The appeal is dismissed. Main Issue 2. The main issue is the effect of the proposed advertisements on the amenity of the area. Reasons 3. The appeal site is a large retail unit set within an established retail park, comprising several other units arranged in an L-shape around a large area of surface car parking.

Wren Kitchens , Unit 6, Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Lysander Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS34 5UD — South Gloucestershire Council — Appeal Decision The retail park is split level with the majority of retail units, including the appeal property, located within the upper section. The surrounding area beyond the retail park is dominated by dual carriageways and commercial uses, including other large format retailers and a supermarket. 4. The proposal is for one internally illuminated freestanding display sign which would be installed below an existing illuminated freestanding sign. This would be a large sign, approximately half the height of the existing and as wide. In addition, the scheme proposes to replace two modestly sized, illuminated signs on the front fascia with two wider illuminated signs. 5. Each of the retail units within the upper part of the retail park, including the appeal property have a high-level, freestanding illuminated main sign mounted upon two poles positioned within the footway. These freestanding signs have a uniform appearance that gives the retail park a coherent appearance and makes a positive contribution to visual amenity. The introduction of an additional and large illuminated sign beneath this would undermine the uniformity of the retail park. It would result in visual clutter which would be at https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate

Wren Kitchens , Unit 6, Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Lysander Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS34 5UD — South Gloucestershire Council — Appeal Decision Appeal Decision APP/P0119/W/21/3281969 odds with the other units within the row. This would detract from the appearance of the retail park. 6. The proposed replacement fascia signs would be placed close to and either side of an existing large fascia sign which would be retained. In combination, they would appear to extend the full width of the unit. With the signage being illuminated, they would appear visually very prominent on the unit. 7. Whilst there is less uniformity in fascia signage within the retail park, none of the units have displays that would extend across almost the entire width as proposed here. In this respect, the proposed signage would not be in keeping with the general appearance of the retail park. Due to its illumination, it would also be visually prominent in both immediate and more distant views where it would appear unduly dominant in comparison to other signage. 8. Cumulatively, the retained and proposed signage would appear excessive on and in front of this unit and within the context of the retail park. As such, despite the commercial nature of the surroundings and the presence of other illuminated signage within the locality, the proposal would detract from the quality of the area. 9.

Wren Kitchens , Unit 6, Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Lysander Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS34 5UD — South Gloucestershire Council — Appeal Decision The appellant has asserted that the proposals will attract investment and increase Bristol’s tourism potential. However, whilst I appreciate that digital signage is more commonplace and not in itself harmful in this location, there is no substantive evidence to support the appellant’s assertions. 10. I have taken into account Policy CS1 of the South Gloucestershire Local Plan Core Strategy 2013 and Policy PSP1 of the Policies Sites and Places Plan 2017 which together seek development that enhances the character and amenity of the site and its context and so are material in this case. Given I have concluded that the proposed signage would harm visual amenity, they would therefore conflict with these policies. I also find conflict with the Framework, which sets out that poorly designed advertisements can have a negative impact on the quality and character of places. Conclusion 11. For the reasons set out above, I conclude the appeal should be dismissed.

Wren Kitchens , Unit 6, Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Lysander Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS34 5UD — South Gloucestershire Council — Rachael Pipkin INSPECTOR https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 2