Last updated at 10:53, Friday, 17 July 2009

I WISH to correct the erroneous impression your readers might have that Hexham Civic Society raised no objection to the proposed signage, now installed, on the former Pattinson’s chemist shop on Cattle Market (Courant Letters, June 26).

We submitted an objection on the grounds that the proposed new signage failed to maintain or enhance the character of Hexham’s conservation area as required by current policies.

We pointed out that Hexham is currently going through the Market Towns Welcome process part of which seeks to identify the features of the town that make it different from others, attractive to visitors and residents alike, and hence of great importance to the town’s vitality and commercial success. To consider replacing traditional signage with standard high street chain store signage is wrong and incompatible with the objectives of the Market Towns Welcome.

We did not seek explicitly to retain the existing Pattinson’s sign but urged the council to refuse permission and to request the applicant to submit a proposal more in keeping with Hexham’s historic image.

Receipt of this objection was acknowledged in March in writing by Tynedale Council.

Apart from the granting of permission, some things disappoint us about the decision process.

Firstly, despite formal acknowledgement of our objection, it does not appear to have been included in the list of consultation/representations put to the area planning committee at which permission was granted. We have sought and await an explanation from Northumberland County Council.

Secondly in its formal assessment the council compares the proposed signage with the arguably awful signage at Northern Rock and Coral, commenting that the proposed sign would have less visual impact. The council should show some ambition by seeking the best solution, not merely comparing a proposal with signs nearby which they judge to be worse.

Finally, despite Hexham Town Council itself registering an objection, the granting of permission was proposed by a county councillor who is also a Hexham town councillor.

Although the loss of this sign might appear a small matter to many, Hexham Civic Society wishes to maintain Hexham’s attractiveness and local distinctiveness, not to see it becoming even more of a ‘clone town’ than it is at present. This decision erodes that special character which once lost is difficult to recapture.

TIM TATMAN,

Chairman and secretary, Hexham Civic Society

First published at 09:44, Friday, 17 July 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk