South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Council has adopted a new planning policy on commercial advertising after a series of public consultations.

Recognising that business requirements and technology have changed significantly in the last 25 years, the new policy replaces a number of outdated planning regulations and offers a simpler and more efficient way for commercial premises, businesses and shops to obtain planning approvals for a wide range of advertising and signs.

The Council is developing an online 'wizard', an aid which allows businesses to follow a series of structured questions, to find out if planning permission is required for their advertising or shop front signage.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Portfolio Holder for Planning said: "The online wizard will greatly speed up the process by which applicants can see, immediately, if they need to submit a planning application before erecting a sign or shop front display.

"Planning law for advertising and signage is a complex and far ranging area, so rather than producing hundreds of pages of guidance for businesses to consult, it is much simpler to follow a series of streamlined questions on a website where legislation can be checked automatically and a decision given in a matter of minutes.

"In business time is money and we are determined to offer every support and advantage to our business community. This is an exciting development and has come about thanks to a series of very constructive public consultations.

"By listening carefully to what our businesses need, we have designed an easy to use solution that will save time for them and the Council, making it a win-win situation for all parties."

The online wizard will be available on the Council's website from the end of September 2010.