For Sale & To Let Boards on a Local Authority’s Agenda

Article first published in The Times - 24th December 2025 - Jack Simpson

An Essex local authority is looking to ban “for sale” signs in one of its heritage spots to protect its historic character.

Epping Forest district council is consulting over plans to stop estate agents from using signs in properties within St John’s conservation area without having to get planning permission.

The Conservative-led council will seek views from residents about bringing in an article 4 direction, which will remove the automatic permitted development rights that give homeowners and estate agents permission to put up signs in the area.

Epping has become the latest council to fight estate agents’ boards. Westminster city council applied to the planning inspectorate for a ban in February, claiming that they cause “substantial harm to the local character” but has not yet had a decision.

Westminster council already have rules that mean that estate agents have to seek planning permission for signs in certain conservation areas, but it is now looking to extend this across the borough.

The banning of “for sale” signs in London started more than a decade ago when Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham applied to the government to get powers to outlaw them in 23 conservation areas across the two London boroughs.

Under the Town and Country Planning Act 2007, estate agents and property owners do not have to apply for planning permission to put up “for sale” or “to let” signs at the front of their properties.

However, rules state that single boards must be no larger than 0.5m square and should be removed within 14 days of a sale or tenancy being agreed.

Councils can request that a sign be removed on public safety grounds if they believe there is a risk of substantial damage to a property or a danger to the public. Estate agents can be fined up to £2,500 if they fail to remove a sign within eight weeks of the request.

The St John’s Conservation area, on the edge of Epping Forest, was designated a special conservation area earlier this year by the council. It contains a Victorian settlement that was created after a railway line went through it in 1856, and includes a grade II listed church as well as dozens of Victorian terraced houses, which are regarded as good examples of 19th-century domestic architecture.

In addition to removing permitted development rights for advertising hoardings, residents in the area will also have to apply for planning permission to paint external walls, install solar panels or change front elevations. The consultation ends on December 26.

The council said: “The purpose of introducing this direction is to help preserve the special architectural and historic character of the St John’s conservation area.

“By requiring planning permission for certain types of alterations, we can ensure that incremental changes do not erode the distinctive appearance and heritage value of the area.”

Comment from Susie Crolla - This article resonates heavily since many agents - not only estate agents, but letting agents too - flout the rules which have been in place since 2007 and set out clear guidance for advertising boards.