Have your say on regulation of 'To Let' signs

Published June 27, 2024 9.00am

People are being invited to have their say on a proposal to extend restrictions on the display of letting boards in Durham City.

We introduced the restrictions in October 2019 after successfully applying to the Secretary of State for a Regulation 7 Direction.

The direction requires advertisers to submit an application to the council for consent if they wish to display letting boards in the Durham City Conservation Area.

It is due to expire this October and we are proposing to apply to the Secretary of State to renew it for a further five years.

Visual improvement

Stephen Reed, our planning development manager, said: "We introduced the existing controls in response to concerns from residents and businesses over the excessive number of letting boards and the negative visual impact this was having on the historic heart of Durham City.

"The controls have been a success - we receive far fewer complaints than we did prior to their introduction, and there's been a marked visual improvement in the residential streets within the Conservation Area. On that basis, we intend to apply to the Secretary of State for a renewal of the Regulation 7 Direction for a further five years.

"We'd welcome people's views on this and will be including a summary of the feedback we receive in our application."

People can have their say by emailing planning@durham.gov.uk (using the reference REG7 in the subject) or writing to Planning, PO Box 274, Durham County Council, Stanley, County Durham, DH8 1HG.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 22 July.