Digital advert screen dismissed over safety fears
GooglePlans for a digital advertising screen near a hospital have been thrown out at appeal following concerns about public safety.
The national Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal against a previous council ruling on the screen planned for the gable end of a property in Kayll Road, Sunderland, near the Royal Hospital.
In September, Sunderland City Council refused the application, arguing the plans would be an "intrusive feature" and cause "distraction to motorists".
The planning inspector has upheld that original decision.
Wildstone Estates Limited had applied for permission to replace the "paper and paste" display on the junction of Kayll Road and Henderson Road with an "illuminated digital advertisement".
The council refused the decision following six letters of objection from properties in Henderson Road, with concerns including impacts on visual amenity, the siting and design of the advert, highway safety impacts and light pollution from the advert operating 24/7.
The applicant later lodged an appeal against the council refusal and a planning inspector was appointed by the Secretary of State to rule on the matter.
The planning inspector said in a report the site was in an area where "considerable attention from motorists is required" due to cars accessing the hospital, multiple bus stops and pedestrians crossing the road.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the report said "momentary distraction" would "increase the risk of accidents".