A Burnham-On-Sea supermarket has this week been given the controversial go-ahead to install a huge new illuminated sign outside its store despite objections from the Town Council and some residents.
Lidl in Burnham-On-Sea’s Oxford Street has applied for consent from the council to install a 7.5-metre tall internally illuminated advertising sign, replacing the current smaller one pictured above.
But Burnham and Highbridge Town Council says the illuminated sign – which would be 2.6 metres wide and have 40cm-tall lettering – would impact residents in the surrounding area.
The Council has formally objected to the proposals, with Town Clerk Denise Emery explaining that “further illumination would be a detriment to the visual amenity of the surrounding properties. However, if the new panels were not to be illuminated then no observation would be returned on this application.”
One nearby resident, Susan Dragt, also objected, saying: “Previously, when illuminated, it could be easily seen from the back windows in Dunstan Road during evening and nights and was very disturbing. Lidl do not need this sign – they are very noticeable already, and Burnham doesn’t need any more eyesores.”
But Sedgemoor District Council’s Development Control Committee has this week approved Lidl’s application, placing several conditions on the store to help reduce the impact of the structure.
These include ensuring that the sign will not impact motorists who are using the roads, or obscure any road signs, and that it will be maintained in a condition not to impair the visual amenity of the site. Also, the council requested that the existing pole be completely removed to ensure that only one sign remains on the site, in the interests of visual amenity.
