Estate agent board ban extended

Thursday March 11, 2010

A total ban on estate agent boards has moved a step closer in the borough.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has extended a ban preventing For Sale and To Let signs being put up in six more conservation areas.

The ban now covers the conservation areas of Hammersmith Grove, Olympia and Avonmore, Gunter Estate, Walham Green, Parsons Green and Moore Park.

Regulation 7 of the Town and Country Planning Act, already prohibits such signs in Barons Court and Sinclair Road and Gardens.

It was introduced in 2006 after residents complained that a sea of signs was an eyesore.

Now councillors are waiting on the Secretary of State for Local Government to approve the latest extension, and expect a decision this spring.

Consultation with residents last year showed that the scheme was widely supported, with 98.7 per cent of people saying they wanted the council to get rid of all signs in the borough.

Mary Pillai, of Mornington Avenue Mansions, Olympia, said: "There certainly are fewer boards in my street now than there were a year ago, but every board is an eyesore.

"Some agents act responsibly about not using boards in our conservation area, but others do not and will not until there is a complete ban.

"These boards are litter, do nothing to enhance the community and are also not necessary in this age of internet access."

The majority of estate agents agreed that the plans would make a positive impact on their business.

Guy Evans of Foxtons in Fulham Broadway offered "clear support for this council initiative".

Advertising laws stipulate that boards can only be displayed where a property is for sale or rent, and must then be removed within 14 days of the house or flat being sold or let.

In the past year, the council has cracked down on estate agents flouting the law with 700 illegal boards being removed.

On February 2, Faron Sutaria and Co was fined £500 with £470 costs at West London Magistrates' Court for displaying a sign in Lakeside Road without permission in September last year.

Richard Turner of Jorgensen Turner, Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush, said: "There are areas where not having boards has smartened up the streetscape, for example Sinclair Road, Olympia, but it has been a difficult year, and boards are still a very useful tool for us.

"In specific areas it has been more difficult to advertise, but it's a relatively small impact and we think the policy is a good one."

John Horton of Horton and Garton in Hammersmith, said: "Boards create extra interest, but I'm in favour of penalties for agents who continually ignore the law."

H&F cabinet member Nicholas Botterill said: "Enforcement work is cleaning up the borough and we have support from residents and estate agents. We don't want neighbourhoods swamped with boards as tatty, poorly-made signs make areas look cluttered and shabby.

"There are rules, and we will continue to come down hard on agents who break them."

To report illegal boards, email: boards@lbhf.gov.uk.