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

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.