Inspector to rule whether billboard is too bright

A plan to install a digital advertising board next to a city railway station will have to be decided by a government inspector.

Network Rail wants to put up the illuminated display in front of Worcester’s Shrub Hill railway station but was thwarted by planners at Worcester City Council who turned the plan down.

The council’s planners were concerned the new digital advertising board, which would be changing 24 hours a day, would be too disruptive at night for those living nearby – particularly those in homeless refuge St Paul’s Hostel opposite.

Network Rail has now turned down the government’s planning inspector, which has the power to veto the council, in a bid to get the decision overturned.

A number of advertising boards are already placed on the corner of Midland Road and Newtown Road which would be replaced by the 6.5-metre by 3.5-metre electronic version if the plans are allowed to go ahead.

Network Rail had argued that removing three billboards for an electric one would have actually improved the look of the junction and could be controlled so it would not distract drivers or shine too bright towards people’s homes.

In a report outlining the council’s objection earlier this year, planners said: “The proposed signs would be located in a prominent position on the road junction embankment adjacent to Midland and Newtown Road. The proposed LED-illuminated digital advertisement would be visible on approach in close and longer-range views from various vantage points within the street scene.

“Whilst it is noted that there are existing billboard-style advertisements at the site, these are however non-illuminated static advertisements, it is considered that the proposed replacement with an illuminated digital LED display would result in a detrimental impact on the amenity of the area and the neighbouring amenity of neighbouring residents both in terms of visual impact and lighting throughout the night.”

Highways officers at Worcestershire County Council had raised no objection to the plan by Network Rail as long as restrictions were put in place to stop the billboard from being too bright or distracting to drivers.