To let board control

Voluntary code

We tried to deal with the issue by introducing a Voluntary Code of Practice on Letting Boards in Areas with High Proportions of Shared Housing (PDF) [98KB] , but this had limited success in reducing the number of boards on display.

Regulation 7 Direction

Following a public consultation, we submitted an application to the Secretary of State for a Regulation 7 Direction which would give us control over the number of to let boards on display in the conservation area of the city:

• Press notice dated 12 July 2018 (PDF) [61KB]
• Letter to Secretary of State requesting a Regulation 7 Direction for Durham City Conservation Area (PDF) [33KB]
  • Proposals to restrict Letting Boards in areas of high number student properties - Report to Cabinet 7 February 2018 (PDF) [1MB]
  • Cabinet agenda and minutes 7 February 2018
  • The Excessive Advertising of Student Accommodation in Durham City - Report to Cabinet 27 July 2015 (PDF) [249KB]
  • Letting boards consultation 2017 - results (PDF) [16KB]
  • Letting boards consultation 2017 - data (PDF) [62KB]
  • Voluntary Code of Practice on Letting Boards in Areas with High Proportions of Shared Housing (PDF) [98KB]
• Durham County Councils Statement of Case (PDF) [485KB]

Following a hearing on 21 May 2019, the Inspector recommended that the proposed Direction should cover the whole of Durham City Conservation Area. The Secretary of State was satisfied that the Direction should last for 5 years. We announced that the Direction would come into force from 17 October 2019. This meant that, from that date, the display of to let boards in Durham City Conservation Area will only be legal if we have granted express consent for them:

• Press notice dated 26 September 2019 (PDF) [102KB]
• Inspectors Report (PDF) [1MB]
• Decision letter (PDF) [157KB]
• Regulation 7 Direction Restricting Deemed Consent (PDF) [87KB]
• Area of Control (Durham City Conservation Area) (PDF) [313KB]

Renewal of Regulation 7 Direction

The Regulation has proved to be a successful method of controlling the display of large numbers of to let boards on individual properties for extended periods of time in Durham City Conservation Area. We are therefore intending to submit an application to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to renew it for another 5 years.

• Regulation 7 Direction Restricting Deemed Consent (PDF) [87KB]
• Area of Control (Durham City Conservation Area) (PDF) [313KB]

Having consulted with you, an application has been submitted to the Secretary of State. If you wish to make any representation, you should write to:

the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Planning Casework Unit
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
23 Stephenson Street
Birmingham
B2 4BH

The closing date for comments is 24 September 2024.