Minutes:
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 21st March, a report in respect of the proliferation of ‘To Let’ signs displayed on properties throughout Belfast was considered. Concern had been expressed by the Committee regarding the negative visual impact which the overt display of such signs caused to the amenity of many areas. Accordingly, the Committee had agreed that its concerns be conveyed to the Planning and Local Government Group.
The Committee was advised that correspondence, dated 20th June, had been received from the Planning Secretariat, which enclosed a copy of a letter which had been issued by the Acting Chief Planner to the Council on 26th April. No record existed within the Council of the receipt of such letter. The letter responded that the Department of the Environment was aware fully of the proliferation of the ‘To Let’ signs which were displayed on properties throughout the City and that, under the Advertisement Regulations, signs which related to the sale or letting of property may be displayed with deemed consent on the condition that the advertisement was removed within fourteen days after the sale was completed or the tenancy was granted. However, often such signs remained on properties long after completion of the sale or let. The letter pointed out that, when a complaint was received by the Department of the Environment, it would normally issue a warning letter which sought the removal of the unauthorised signage. However, there were a number of difficulties in relation to the enforcement in that it may have been difficult to establish the precise date that the tenancy of a property had been granted or that properties may be partially let with only one room remaining available to be let.
The Acting Chief Planner reported that a letter had been issued to a number of Estate Agents within the Belfast area which had advised them of the concerns which had been expressed and the potential enforcement proceedings which could be taken on the issue and that follow up investigations would be carried out in the coming weeks which may lead to the prosecution of those who had not complied with the Regulations.
A copy of the correspondence in relation to the above-mentioned matter was made available at the meeting for the information of the Members.
A Member expressed disappointment that the response had not covered adequately the concerns which had been raised in connection with the different types of signage which had been referred to nor the possibility of the restriction of the number of signs at each property, together with the location thereof. She proposed that a further letter be issued to the Acting Chief Planner which suggested that a restriction be placed upon agents to display one sign only at each property which would be located on the inside of a window, as opposed to being placed on the outside.
The Committee noted the response which had been received and agreed that a further letter be issued to the Acting Chief Planner as outlined above.