Advertisement Control Non-Statutory Planning Guidance
Perth and Kinross Council · 27 August 2025
Back to Economy and Infrastructure Committee — 27 August 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Economy & Infrastructure Committee Date of Meeting: 27 August 2025 Report Title: Advertisement Control Non-Statutory Planning Guidance Report Number: 25/210 Report Author: Dante Sosa (Development Plan Team) Organisational Lead: Serge Merone, Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 This report summarises updates made to the planning authority’s existing non-statutory Advertisement Control Planning Guidance Note, including comments received during the consultation period. It seeks approval to finalise and adopt the guidance to support the Local Development Plan. Such guidance would not have the status of being part of the Local Development Plan, but where relevant to a decision would be a material consideration to support the determination and enforcement of advertisement consents. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Background/Main Issues 4. Consultation Responses and Final Amendments 5. Conclusion 6. Impact and Value Assessment 7. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Approves the Advertisement Control Planning Guidance. 2.2 Delegates Authority to the Strategic Lead (Economy, Development and Planning) to make any necessary amendments to the format and layout of the guidance, and to adapt it for publication in accessible formats including online and on paper.
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3. Background/Main Issues 3.1 Historic Information/Context 3.1.1 The Council has powers to control the display of advertisements in the interests of amenity or public safety. These powers are derived from Sections 182-187 of the Town & Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended), and the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984. The regulations are accompanied by Circular 10/1984, which sets out the Scottish Ministers guidance on the Control of Advertisements. 3.1.2 The Regulations set out the circumstances in which advertisements need consent from the planning authority and define limited circumstances where advertisements may be displayed without the need for an application. There is provision for planning authorities to set out relevant amenity or public safety criteria, and these will be material to the determination of advertisement consent applications. 3.1.3 The Council’s predecessor authority adopted and issued a planning advice note on advertisement control to guide applicants seeking advertisement consent. That advice note set out some locally derived policy and guidelines on advertisement control and illustrated the provisions of the relevant Act and Regulations and the matters to be taken into consideration when determining applications for advertisement consent. 3.1.4 This advice note has remained unaltered for many years and requires to be reviewed to ensure it remains relevant and fit for purpose. It is proposed to prepare and issue the updated note as non-statutory planning guidance. 3.2 Rationale for Recommendations made in Section 2 3.2.1 It is proposed that non-statutory Advertisement Control planning guidance be prepared to assist applicants in the preparation of applications for advertisement consent. Non-statutory planning guidance does not have the status of being part of the development plan, but where relevant to a decision would be a material consideration to be afforded such weight as determined by the decision maker. It would therefore be used to support the determination of applications for advertisement consent. 3.2.2 In terms of the content of the Advertisement Control non-statutory planning guidance, it is proposed that it should closely follow the original advice note. Few changes are proposed to the text and illustrations other than minor technical amendments or corrections. There have been essentially no changes to the advertisement regulations since they were introduced. However, given the age of the original advice note, there is considerable benefit in reviewing it to ensure it remains fit for purpose. 3.2.3 A copy of the finalised Advertisement Control non-statutory planning guidance is attached as Appendix 1 to this report.
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3.2.4 There are a few significant changes to the guidance note, these are summarised in more detail as follows: 3.2.5 Illuminated advertisements – The updated guidance includes reference to new technical guidance – The Brightness of Illuminated Advertisements including Digital Displays (2023) – prepared by the Institution of Lighting Professionals. This reflects changes in technology, including the application of digital displays. This is an area of the advertisement industry that has experienced significant growth since the original guidance note and was important to address in the updated guidance for Perth and Kinross. 3.2.6 Special protection for rural areas – Section 183 of the Act makes provision for authorities to establish areas of special control where different advertisement regulations apply. The updated guidance proposes that the Council’s area of special control be redefined as land outside of settlement boundaries, to be consistent with the Local Development Plan. For the definition of settlement boundaries, it is proposed to use the proposals maps in the Perth and Kinross Local Development Plan (adopted 2019) and the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan (adopted 2021). 3.2.7 Window Decals and Manifestations – The updated guidance addresses the issue of large-scale displays on shop or office windows using posters or adhesive vinyls. There has been an increased use of these displays which often have an adverse impact on active frontages, visual amenity and street vitality. These displays may be acceptable where used to cover windows of vacant premises, given they are not consisting of advertisement clutter and work to enhance the streetscape. 4. Consultation Responses and Final Amendments 4.1 The consultative draft was circulated internally for comments prior to being published for external consultation. Views were sought from Development Management and Development Plans to inform the draft. Once published the consultation was shared with PKC’s Transport Planning and Roads Network Management teams for feedback. 4.2 The draft guidance was published externally on the Consultation Hub from 1- 29 July 2025. The feedback questionnaire seeks input on the clarity of layout and information included, providing opportunity to comment on any changes thought to be required. Notice of the consultation was sent to the Development Plans contact list and advertised on PKC’s social media channels. 4.3 Views have been sought from the Cairngorms National Park Planning Authority on the consultative draft, specifically requesting feedback on the Areas of Special Control section which references settlements covered in the park’s Local Development Plan. No response was received. 4.4 Seventeen members of the public responded to the consultation on the draft guidance. When asked about the clarity of its layout and content, eleven answered "yes," five "somewhat," and one respondent did not reply. A detailed summary of the feedback and the planning authority’s responses is
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provided in Appendix 2. Five minor amendments have been made to the final guidance, as outlined below. 4.5 Stricter enforcement – Respondents welcomed the guidance and expressed support for efforts to regulate advertising. Several comments emphasised the need for stronger enforcement, particularly in Perth City Centre, Pitlochry, and Conservation Areas. In response, Paragraph 10 of the Enforcement section has been expanded to include a link to the Planning Enforcement webpage, enabling users to report potential breaches. 4.6 A-Boards – Several respondents recommended that the guidance address the use of A-Boards, which were identified as a growing concern in certain communities, notably Pitlochry. In response, Paragraph 11 of the Enforcement section has been expanded to clarify that A-Boards fall under the jurisdiction of the Roads Authority and are not covered by advertisement control regulations or this guidance. A reference to Perth & Kinross Council’s A-Board Guidelines—enforceable under Section 59 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984—has been included. 4.7 Pre-application advice – One respondent requested that PKC offer pre- application advice for advertisement proposals. In response, Paragraph 12 has been updated to include links to both the advertisement consent submission checklist and the pre-application service, where guidance can be sought. 4.8 Election notices – One respondent recommended strengthening the guidance regarding electioneering signage. In response, Paragraph 54 has been added to clarify that, under Regulation 12, election notices related to pending elections are granted deemed consent, provided they are removed within 14 days following the poll. 4.9 Illuminated advertisements – One respondent recommended the guidance should address illuminated displays near traffic lights. In response, Paragraph 65 has been included to reference proximity of illuminated displays near roadways. 5. Conclusion 5.1 The non-statutory Advertisement Control Planning Guidance has been prepared to support the determination and enforcement of advertisement consents. This document has been prepared through consultation with internal and external stakeholders. 6. Impact and Value Assessment 6.1 https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/54266/Advertisement-Control-Planning- Guidance/pdf/Advertisement_Control_Planning_Guidance.pdf?m=175326721 1260
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7. Appendices 7.1 Appendix 1 – Finalised Advertisement Control Planning Guidance 7.2 Appendix 2 – Summary of Consultation Responses 7.3 Appendix 3 – PKC Guidelines for A-Boards and Other Advertising Structures on Footpaths