5 Union Street, City Centre

The proposed signage for this listed building is inappropriate and fails to maintain or enhance the listed building. In particular the proposal to add an aluminium fascia board is unnecessary as the existing wooden fascia could be used and would have a better appearance. The use of pin mounted lettering is acceptable subject to the quality of materials, though as always a better approach of the quality required for a site in the WHS would be for the signage to be handpainted onto the wooden fascia. The installation of a brochure hopper would clutter the shopfront and elevation and have an associated impact on the streetscene and should be removed from the application. The apparently widespread use of vinyls on the windows should be managed by the case officer to ensure the window is not dominated or blanked out. It would appear the applicant has failed to take proper regard of the guidance contained in the Commercial Signage and Tables/Chairs in the Conservation Area SPD.

The proposed scheme by virtue of its materials and siting of the hopper would be harmful to the listed building, would neither preserve nor enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area, would be detrimental to the visual amenity of the street scene and would detract from the special qualities of the WHS. The scheme would be contrary to sections 16 and 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Section 12 (Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment) of the NPPF, policies B1, B2, B4, and CP6 of the B&NES Core Strategy and policies CP6, HE1, D.9, B.4, B.2 of the Placemaking Plan. We would therefore strongly recommend the application be withdrawn or refused and that the unauthorised umbrellas and signage are removed immediately.