AN APPLICATION for replacement outdoor signage has been approved for a business occupying a listed building in the town centre.
Boots sought consent to display several replacement advertisements as part of a nationwide rebranding exercise, which involves using a darker blue colour scheme.
Boots, which occupies a Listed Building at 7 Fore Street in Hexham, submitted a planning application to Northumberland County Council for three fascia signs (visible outdoor business signage) and mounted LED lights over this signage.
The signs displayed will be 'Boots', 'Beauty' and 'Pharmacy'.
The site is within the Hexham Conservation Area, so section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 states that care must be taken to preserve the appearance of buildings in that area.
A heritage statement submitted as part of the planning documents said: "The centre of Hexham is fortunate in having a rich heritage of buildings, important both architecturally and historically. Such buildings are admired for their craftsmanship and to lose them would be to lose a vital part of the character and cultural heritage. As such, alterations should be sensitive in terms of design, materials and location."
The proposals were judged to be fitting with the surrounding area and historical buildings.
The statement added: "A similar scheme which is ‘tired’ and in parts, damaged, already exists on the site and the signs will not be a new introduction.
"Illumination is a new feature, but in line with other historic buildings in the area, discreet trough style lighting is considered to be appropriate and not as dominant as internal illumination which can harm historic assets."
A report also said Northumberland County Council’s Built Heritage and Design team and Hexham Town Council were consulted on this application and supported the proposal.
The Heritage and Design team approved the proposal on the condition that the hood of the trough lighting is painted to match the colour of the proposed fascia signage.
For more information or to view the planning documents, go to Northumberland County Council's planning portal and quote ref. no 23/01204/LBC.
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