A large illuminated advertising display in the heart of Letterkenny will have to be torn down.
It comes after An Coimisiún Pleanála refused permission to French multinational company JCDecaux for a display on the Port Road.
The company was initially turned down for planning permission by Donegal County Council, but took an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála over the proposed replacement of an illuminated 6.3m x 3.5m advertising display.
The display features a digital 6.28m x 3.4m advertising display on the wall of a commercial premises next to the Masonic Hall.
A note on the decision remarks that the applicant has been advised that it has not been demonstrated that the existing signage has planning permission.
JCDecaux specialise in outdoor advertising and it is the largest company in the sector worldwide.
The planning commission went against the recommendation of an inspector to grant permission with some conditions included.
“The Commission concurred with the Inspector in considering that the proposed development would not pose a traffic hazard.” An Coimisiún Pleanála said.
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“However, in deciding not to accept the Inspector’s recommendation to grant permission, the Commission considered that the proposed signage was excessive in scale relative to the host building and did not integrate with the host environment, and having regard to the nature and scale of the proposed digital display and alternating advertising images, would detract from the visual amenity of the area and would not contribute positively towards the creation of an attractive urban form.”
The Council, citing the Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029, said that permitting such a development ‘could lead to a proliferation of such inappropriate large digital signage displays which would detract from and hinder the achievement of the Town Centre Strategy’,
It said that the proposed signage “fails to contribute towards the creation of a strong urban form / streetscape, conducive to a vibrant / high quality urban environment within the town centre.”
The local authority added that it was not satisfied that the proposed development would not constitute a distraction to road users as a result of its scale and position.
A planners report raised concerns in relation to light emanating from the sign and the possible impact on adjoining residential properties.
The report outlines that the digital and continuously alternating nature would constitute a distraction to road users as a result of its scale and position.
While an inspector carried out a detailed assessment and recommended that the decision of the Council be overturned, An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused permission.