Advertising board "does not have planning permission" according to local councillor

A new advertising board has appeared in Ivybridge, taking residents and local councillors by surprise. 

The board, which was installed at the beginning of the week outside the Co-op at Glanvilles Mill in Ivybridge, quickly caught the attention of local people and a photo was posted on the Ivybridge Community Group. 

The board outside Glanvilles Mill, Ivybridge - credit Cllr Nadine Dommett 

The post attracted more than a hundred comments, with most of them expressing shock and confusion at the installation. 

Today, Thursday, 12 November, Nadine Dommett, South Hams District Councillor for Ivybridge West, posted on social media to say that the "installation of the large advertising unit in Glanvilles Mill does not have any planning application or permission associated with it". 

She said: "Neither South Hams District Council (Planning Authority) nor Ivybridge Town Council (please see their FB page for their thoughts) have been involved in any decisions regarding this structure. 

"Therefore, it is now being investigated.

"It has been put in place by LCP the owners of Glanvilles Mill. Not Co-Op. The GM tenants have not been involved in this process. 

"With the board now powered on and displaying advertising, it is breaking Section 224 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to display an advertisement in contravention of regulations. I have requested this be powered down with a notice put on it explaining the situation to residents.

"As I learn more from the Enforcement team at SHDC I’ll share." 

A spokesperson for Ivybridge Town Council said: "We appreciate residents raising their concerns and wanted to clarify that Ivybridge Town Council has not been involved in the installation of this digital advertising display and was not made aware of any plans for it.

"We understand the concerns being expressed and are currently making enquiries to establish who is responsible for the installation and what permissions have been granted."

Ivybridge Town Council did confirm that there is enough space for wheelchairs and pushchairs to get passed the board on the pavement. 

The complaint has been registered with South Hams District Council has reference number 030221 for alleged unauthorised advertisement at Glanvilles Mill Ivybridge PL21 9AB. 

We have contacted LCP Property for comment but they haven't immediately responded. As soon as we get a response, we will update this story.