Council to rule on controversial screens was a letter published by Rye News on June 26 from Larry McIntyre about the illuminated advertising screens in the windows of 84 Fishmarket Road, the recently completed building on Skinners roundabout. Mr McIntyre’s letter prompted a lively and prolonged debate which resulted in the owner of the screens having to apply for retrospective planning consent.
Last week, on August 3 to be precise, planning permission was approved by Rother District Council (RDC) for “Existing use of electronic illuminated advertising screens to internal shop front” but with certain conditions attached, 13 in all.
I contacted Peter Ockenden, owner of the screens and who made the planning application, he was naturally delighted with the planners decision: “This is good news for the community and local businesses alike – the digital advertising screens on Fishmarket Road have officially received the stamp of approval from the council. It’s been a journey of ups and downs, but the final outcome is a win for all.
“Back when we made the significant investment of £18,000 in these state-of-the-art screens, the council had given a preliminary nod, suggesting that planning permission might not be a hurdle. The recent official acceptance of our application is a breath of fresh air and a testament to our commitment to the community.”
He further adds: “This approval goes beyond just digital screens. It promises the security of two full-time positions for local residents, ensuring the livelihoods of our neighbours. Moreover, these screens play a pivotal role in promoting our picturesque town to visitors. Tourists, often intrigued by the dynamic displays, get a glimpse of the myriad attractions our town has to offer, thanks to our impactful advertisements.
“Local businesses can already attest to the efficacy of these screens. The uptick in trade, thanks to increased visibility, is undeniable. The vibrant displays not only catch the eye but also significantly boost local trade.
“Are you a business in need of a little extra spotlight? We’re more than happy to assist. To discuss how our digital screens can enhance your visibility, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated team at 01797 724100 or drop us an email at info@ukg.group.
“Let’s work together to make our community thrive even more!”
In conversation with Peter Ockenden he confirmed that following a discussion with the planners at RDC he was told that as his displays were inside not outside the building, consent would not be required. Peter confirmed to me that the planners also made a visit to site and confirmed in writing that no consent was required. On this basis, believing he had no requirement for planning consent he invested £18,000 in screens and associated equipment which he then installed. Spending this amount of money is something you don’t do lightly but having been given the go-ahead he installed them in good faith. The rest as they say is history.
Full details of the planning approval can be viewed on Rother District Council’s planning portal using planning reference RR/2023/1085/A.
Click here for a follow-up letter from Larry McIntyre.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
This is a most unfortunate decision by Rother Planning Department and is yet another example of how they do not appreciate the unique character of Rye. I suggest we all write to our two new Labour councillors to share our opinions and ask that the full council vote on this. And as consumers we can choose not to do business with advertisers on the screens and let them know this.
Such a shame that this unnecessary ugliness is permitted in a historic district.
What is this ‘unique character’ you speak of? It used to be a car showroom. South Undercliff is hardly the citadel (with respect to the residents of said road). After South Undercliff a tourist comes to the frankly awful Kettle O’Fish roundabout with the shell of an old warehouse on the opposite side of the river. What exactly are you looking to protect by removing a couple of screens?
Wait for the first car crash on the mini roundabout, caused by drivers being distracted by large flashing screens!
If these screens were in the middle of Mermaid Street, or on The George in the High Street or similar, I might agree with you. Skinner’s round about is hardly historic though and is just a “drive by”, so I think the decision is correct.
I agree with Paul’s comment. The roundabout is not historic, but it IS inside Rye Conservation Area. The issue with the electronic screens is threefold. First, there is the road safety issue. Five previous planning applications for illuminated signs were rejected by RDC, so what has changed? The screens are designed to attract drivers’ attention because few pedestrians frequent this area. National Highways needs to be taken to task for allowing distracting screens on a busy roundabout. Second, it’s not the fact that the location is not very historic, or on the edge of the conservation area, it’s the fact that every visitor and local person arriving by vehicle on the A259 from the east will notice the existence of these bright screens — and they will instantly form an impression of Rye that’s at odds with the town’s historic character and heritage. Businesses (like mine) in Rye need the town to keep its identity as an historic medieval Cinque Port, not to be considered as just another place that’s caved into rampant commercialism by installing electronic advertising. The screens will be largely ineffective in any case, because drivers only have enough time to be distracted by them, not to actually absorb any of the information. If I were an advertiser, I’d spend my money on online promotion of my business. Third, the most worrying impact of these screens is the precedent they set, as others have pointed out. The prospect of screens like these appearing all over Rye is now a reality. Looking at the planners’ decision, RDC supported the spurious argument that the screens would economically benefit Rye (they won’t, only Quest Cottages) and completely failed to recognise that the historic character and reputation of Rye is in fact a far more valuable asset. Also, why should people have to put up with even more advertising being thrust at them? We never ask for it, but companies just do it. The people who really deface our neighbourhoods are companies who impose their advertising on us and expect to shout their messages in our faces from every available surface. We’re never allowed to answer back. I’m doing so on one of the few forums we have left.
The level of comment and engagement with the screens speaks volumes for how much we all care about the appearance and tone of our town, 18 emails on the matter to Rother on the issue adds up to many engaged citizens and as one of your local Rother Cllrs I genuinely thank those of you who contributed to the response.
Me and Cllr Cheryl Creaser (RDC and RTC) took this issue seriously and we both were contacted directly by residents with detailed and well argued concerns. As you would expect we discussed the concerns raised with Rother officers including via direct conversations, we spent time understanding the planning matters at hand including the pros and cons of the screens. Whatever our personal views, our role is to listen, represent and then balance those views with legislation and guidance and in this case the guidance is very clear that although restrictions (all 18) can be applied, a refusal of planning permission could not be reasonably defended.
The other side of this coin is local businesses who need exposure, publicity and custom to keep our towns going. This is not an easy time to be running a business including tourism based ones such as I have seen advertised on the screens and I strongly support our innovative and resilient local business in seeking new custom. The recent weather has seen off quite a few visitors from the UK as evidenced by an increase in foreign holiday bookings, encouraging more of us to enjoy what our own country has to offer not only benefits local businesses, the rest of us who rely on them year round but it also benefits the environment at a time when this must be our number one priority.
I will be popping in to 84 Fishmarket Rd to say hello and also to help me understand how the restrictions to the planning notice will be adhered to, I am especially interested in the screens being switched off overnight since I live nearby. I understand resident’s feelings running high over something so important as the appearance of Rye but I also want to engage with and understand what benefits are being seen by businesses using the screens, there is a balance to be struck and whilst not everyone is happy with the decision, I do believe one has been struck in this case.
Hi Cllr Simon McGurk,
I genuinely appreciate your insightful and balanced comments – they’re a breath of fresh air.
As the proprietor of the UK Group, boasting over 100 properties in the Rye vicinity tailored for staycations, I wholeheartedly agree with your observations. Rye’s tourism sector has indeed faced challenges this year, and operating a business here has become increasingly demanding. Both The Grapevine and Quest Cottages have felt the pinch of dwindling business over recent years.
It’s paramount for us to innovate and explore every avenue to support and uplift the local business community, especially given the protracted winters and less lucrative summers we’ve experienced lately.
Please know that our office doors are always open to you. We’d greatly value an opportunity to engage in a comprehensive dialogue with you.
Warm regards,
Peter Ockenden.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Simon. Yes, there’s been a lot of heat on this issue. However, can I just point out that given what Mr Ockenden says in the above article, why is it that his agent ticked the box on the application form for planning permission which declares that the applicant has NOT received assistance or sought prior advice from the local authority? From what Mr Ockenden says, clearly he DID receive pre-application advice. Also, what gives RDC the right to casually tell applicants that “planning permission might not be a hurdle” when they haven’t even heard local people’s comments? The advice was clearly wrong because RDC’s planning case officer was forced to override Schedule 1 Class I of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) regulations to gain ‘advertisement consent’. The above-mentioned schedule states that for adverts displayed INSIDE a building, “The advertisement may not be illuminated” and “No part of the advertisement may be within 1 metre of any external door, window or other opening, through which it is visible from outside the building”. Why has this sensible regulation been blatantly ignored? Also, why is it that RDC holds pally discussions with developers and planning applicants but never reveals the content of these chats to local residents? For the sake of transparency and democracy, RDC should be obliged to lodge a weekly public document on its website, summarising what’s been said in these discussions. People who might wish to object to planning applications are just flying in the dark at the moment. It’s no wonder that people get frustrated. We’ll see what happens with the screens, but I predict that a lot of Ryers are going to get extremely irritated by having these things flashing unwanted ads at them every time they drive onto the Skinners roundabout.