Hull Road councillors call for ban on letting boards

The three Hull Road ward Labour councillors have called for action on letting boards in areas near the University of York – asking City of York Council to apply to the Government for permission to implement special planning regulations, which could ban the use of letting boards outright.
 


Letting boards on Siward Street

Councillors Hilary Shepherd, David Levene and Neil Barnes have written to both the Chair of the council’s planning committee and the Executive Member covering planning matters, asking that this issue be considered as a matter of urgency.

This coincides with the following petition launched by Hull Road ward councillors:

We, the undersigned, believe that an excessive number of letting boards are damaging the visual environment of the local area and increase the risk of crime against those living there at certain times of the year, particularly in Hull Road ward, and that they are no longer necessary given well-used online alternatives.



 

We therefore call on the Government to give City of York Council the power to ban letting boards in locations with an excessive amount and where there is local support.

Hull Road Cllrs with the petition

The petition is on-going and the Hull Road ward councillors are collecting signatures for presentation to the council at a later date.

You can sign the petition online via the council's website (log in or registration required)

Coun. Hilary Shepherd said: “The issue of letting boards in areas near the University is one frequently brought to our attention as local councillors. Residents feel strongly that they are an eyesore that reduces pride in the community.

“We also know that students are concerned at properties that could become a target for crime during University holidays if they are so openly advertised. With the rise of websites that offer online advertising, physical letting boards are unnecessary and serve only as a form of visual ‘one-upmanship’ between individual letting agencies.

“Local authorities can apply to the Government for permission to introduce special planning controls – including a blanket ban - and we’re asking the council’s lead planning members to consider this action on behalf of the city’s residents.”



Out on a cold afternoon collecting signatures...

The move follows efforts made by Coun. Barnes and former ward councillor Fiona Fitzpatrick in the last couple of years to gain a voluntary agreement from leading letting agents to end the use of letting boards attached to properties.  Although some agents signed up, support was not unanimous - meaning a request for more formal powers to end the practice is the only alternative option.


What's been done elsewhere?

 

In 2014, Newcastle city council applied to Government for “Regulation 7 Direction” – banning letting boards in certain areas of the city. This was followed by Reading in 2015.

Leeds obtained a Regulation 7 Direction in 2006 for Headingley.

There have also been recent bans, consultations and incidents involving agents' boards in London, Brighton, Southampton and many other areas of the UK.

Regulation 7 Direction: This removes normal rights to display boards without express consent, enabling the council to implement a complete ban enforceable by court action and fines of up to £2,500.