The Government has shelved plans to lift the ban on poster hoardings in
the countryside.
John Gummer, the Environment Secretary, has bowed to pressure from
environmental groups who warned that his plans to abolish 50-year-old
controls would result in an explosion of US-style hoardings.
His original plan, which was revealed two months ago (Campaign, 13
September), has now been put on hold at least until after the general
election.
With Labour opposing the move and parliamentary time running out,
ministers have decided the ban on rural posters must remain for the time
being.
Robert Jones, the Minister for Planning, said that following a public
consultation exercise the Government had decided that the special
controls on posters ‘will remain’.
He said: ‘As for the future, we shall be looking to see if there are
sensible modifications that can be made to provide the same pro-
tection of amenity with less bureaucracy.’
If the Government’s plans had gone ahead, all new poster hoardings,
except temporary displays screening building sites, would still have
required planning permission, he added.
