Penrith’s new Tesco Express has been granted advertisement consent for illuminated store signs — despite concern that it “would be lit up like a Christmas tree”.
Tesco, which is building a convenience store on land next to Carleton Hall Farm, was given permission for both illuminated and non-illuminated signs at a meeting of Westmorland and Furness Council’s Eden local area planning committee on Wednesday.
Penrith Town Council had objected to the proposal, as presented to them, saying that the proposed gantry sign was grossly out of character with the surrounding area. “The signage is large and fully illuminated adjacent to a lit highway, listed building and residential areas, as is the fascia signage. Such signage would detract from the character and appearance of the area and will have an adverse effect on the locality,” said a town council spokeswoman.
The meeting was told that in some respects the concerns of the town council were shared by officers. Revisions were sought and Tesco agreed to the changes. Mary Robinson (Ind, Alston and Fellside) said: “I actually thought that we weren’t able to have any more retail buildings.
“Are we changing the rules so that this would apply to existing business operations, as well as the likes of Tesco and the supermarkets coming in?
“I just feel that from an economic point of view that some of those businesses are hamstrung because of restrictions from the past.”
The meeting was told that the retail store itself was approved last year under officer delegated powers and did not come to committee.
Colin Atkinson (Con, Hesket and Lazonby) said: “I am disappointed that we have to illuminate a sign for a convenience store.
“Penrith is not Las Vegas — everything doesn’t have to be illuminated — everybody is going to know where Tesco is that lives round there. I am disappointed that we have to light everything up like a Christmas tree.”
