Gaming centre plan for illuminated signs rejected

An application for illuminated signs at the front of a 24-hour adult gaming centre in Whitby has been refused.

North Yorkshire Council rejected the plan by Luxury Leisure to install new lighting and signage on the front of the former bank on Baxtergate as it would result in "undue nuisance" and harm to neighbouring residential properties.

The site is being converted into a gaming centre as part of plans by the company, which trades as Admiral.

Whitby Town Council had raised concerns about potential light pollution.

The proposal would have seen the installation of white LED lights in a "halo" form, according to a report, which said they would reflect on the respective overhanging signage and would internally illuminate the letters and branding to the front of the building.

Whitby Town Council said that any installation should be time-limited, switched off overnight, and that an external wall-mounted hanging was not appropriate in the location.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a council report said the proposal would result in a form of illumination which would harmfully detract from the prevailing character of the area.

It noted that while there were pubs on the high street, most of these closed at 23:00.

The report added that the character of Baxtergate "is such that the majority of commercial uses are of a daytime nature only".

Planning officers said that "whilst there may be some evening illuminations at the local public houses, these are a form of traditional use which are sympathetic to and reflect the historic vernacular of the streetscene, and are much more muted and in-keeping with the subdued historic character using 'warm' lighting".

Officers concluded that the application "would result in adverse harm on the residential amenities of neighbouring properties in terms of undue nuisance lighting throughout the unsociable hours".

They added that "furthermore, no evidence has been provided by the applicant by way of a lighting assessment to demonstrate that this form of lighting would not result in adverse harm".

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