Retrospective planning permission for the illuminated signs on Wanstead High Street at the Wanstead Coffee Shop (formerly Caesar’s Palace) might not seem like a big deal, but it’s a real test of whether Redbridge officials have any fight left in them to preserve the Wanstead Conservation area.
Longtime readers will know that shops are not permitted to have “internally illuminated signs”, ie no plastic with lights coming through. Any lights need to be shining on to the sign rather than coming from inside it. It’s a small thing but the effect it makes on a high street is noticeable.
However, planners were thwarted in their objections to the digital advertising boards on the high street on these grounds, overruled by the Planning Inspectorate.
So this retrospective application (the sign have been up for months) is one of the first real tests of their resolve. Their decision will be instructive – if they give way on it, the last vestige of the conservation area would seem to vanish. On the other hand, is this a strong enough reason to put a cost on a local business?
It’s not just conservation, but it is an obstruction if you are visually or physically impaired. It believe it merits an equality impact assessment. It’s all very well for the Council to highlight the unique character of the high street, but needs to support it. This planning application isn’t about social housing either, so there is no moral imperative.
It’s a real shame that the Council’s failure to uphold the informal rules meant to preserve the conservation status of the High Street has simply become the norm. The High St is slowly degrading in terms of its character and it’s hard to find a single piece of street furniture unmarked by graffiti as well. I also don’t know why we had to agree to the giant illuminated advertising board on the grounds that it would provide a defibrillator when there already four of five already available within a 50-100 metre radius.
Only observed half the high st today but noticed Enigma beauty and Bono & wild both have self illuminated signs. There may be others towards Snaresbrook.