'To Let' Restriction Welcome Say Lib Dem Councillors

7.07.00pm GMT Mon 13th Dec 2004

Headingley Liberal Democrat Councillors, Greg Mulholland and Martin Hamilton have welcomed Council proposals for what would effectively be a blanket ban on To Let signs in much of the Headingley area. The Council's Planning Department have applied to the government to grant powers to restrict the number of To Let signs in the popular student areas of North West Leeds.

Councillor Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Headingley) said "These proposals are welcome news for local people who have for too long seen their streets flooded by To Let signs prior to a new influx of students into the area. The signs are not only a major eyesore but also create the impression of a community that is permanently in transit. As Ward Councillors we are pleased to see that the concerns of local people are being recognised."

Councillor Martin Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley) added "To Let signs are equally annoying to the tenants themselves - they act as advertisement to burglars that here are properties containing expensive items such as laptops and stereos to steal. I hope that Office of the Deputy Prime Minister accepts these proposals this time round - there is no doubt that this is a much stronger proposal than the one they rejected last year. "

Leeds City Council applied to the First Secretary of State on 9th December 2004 to grant a Direction under Regulation 7 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 that 'Deemed Consent' for the display of letting boards relating to residential property, which are advertisements within Schedule 3, Part 1, Class 3A of the regulations, should not apply to parts of Headingley, Kirkstall, Weetwood and Hyde Park & Woodhouse Wards. This means that letting boards would in effect require planning permission in these areas.

This is the second proposal to government on this issue, the first having been rejected last year.

Any representations to the making of the Direction under Regulation 7 for the identified area, should be made by the 6th January 2005 by writing direct to the First Secretary of State at the following address:

C/o Susan Peart

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Planning Development Control Division

4/J3 Eland House

Bressenden Place

LONDON, SW1E 5DU

Copies of the submission map and Council's statement may be inspected at the Development Department (The Leonardo Building) and at the following local Libraries: Burley, Headingley and Kirkstall.

A one day public hearing into the above will also take place on 15th February 2005 starting at 10.00 in Leeds Civic Hall.