Brighton and Hove estate agents have been given a fresh chance to see off attempts to ban their boards from a swathe of the city’s streets.
They will be able to make their case at a planning inquiry on Tuesday 9 March.
The Planning Inspectorate – part of the Department of Communities and Local Government – has given lettings and estate agents until Monday 8 February to lodge formal objections to the ban.
The ban is being proposed by Brighton and Hove City Council to cover the central conservation areas from Kemp Town to Sackville Road, Hove, and Hove Street.
“For sale”, “Sold” and “To let” signs would be outlawed if the council wins the battle.
A council spokesman said: “Brighton and Hove City Council formally requested the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to bring under planning control the display of estate agent residential sale and letting boards in the city’s central conservation areas.
“However, the local estate agents association (Brighton and Hove Estate Agents Association) has, on behalf of its membership, objected to the extent of the area proposed for the extra control and proposed a compromise with the area of control being more tightly drawn.
“In view of the BHEAA’s objection, the Department of Communities and Local Government has called a formal planning hearing to be held by the Planning Inspectorate on Tuesday 9 March, to hear and examine the varying views expressed.
“The planning inspector will consider all representations, then make recommendation to the Secretary of State regarding the need and appropriate extent for such control, having regard to the commercial benefits of residential sale and letting boards and the effect of such boards on the visual amenity of the central historic areas of Brighton and Hove.”
