| Application Number | 25/00444/ADV |
| Status | Refused |
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Planning Online Status
-
Application
Valid16/05/2025 -
Consultation
End04/07/2025 -
Committee
MeetingN/A -
Decision Refusal -
Decision
Date21/07/2025 -
Appeal
StartedN/A -
Appeal
DecisionN/A
| Summary | |
| Application Number | 25/00444/ADV |
| Location Address | Cathedral Square Worcester WR1 2BY |
| Proposal | Advertisement consent for a digital television screen. |
| Status | Refusal |
| Application Type | Advertisement |
| Appeal Decision | N/A |
| Important Dates | |
| Application Received Date | 14/05/2025 |
| Application Valid Date | 16/05/2025 |
| Consultation Start Date | 13/06/2025 |
| Site Visited / Site Notice Date | |
| Consultation End | 04/07/2025 |
| Advert Expiry | |
| Committee Date (if applicable) | |
| Committee Agenda | |
| Decision Date | 21/07/2025 |
| Further Information | |
| Expected Decision Level | Delegated |
| Case Officer | Ros Vaux Harvey |
| Parish | Worcester City |
| Ward | Cathedral Ward |
| Applicant | Mr Toby Vander Meersch, CScreens Ltd |
| Agent | Mr Toby Vander Meersch |
| Agent Address | 69 Old Streen London EC1V 9HX |
| Condition Details / Information Notes |
| The proposed installation of a large, illuminated digital screen within Cathedral Square, located in the Worcester Historic City Conservation Area and within the setting of multiple listed buildings, would introduce a visually dominant and discordant feature into a sensitive historic environment. The moving images, bright illumination, and commercial content would be wholly out of keeping with the character and appearance of the conservation area and would harm the setting of designated heritage assets, including the Grade I listed Worcester Cathedral and surrounding listed buildings. The proposal fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and would undermine the visual amenity of a prominent civic space. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy SWDP 21 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan, the National Planning Policy Framework, and the Planning Practice Guidance. |
| 2The proposed digital screen, by virtue of its scale, illumination, and intended use for live event broadcasts and commercial content, would give rise to significant public safety concerns within a constrained, high-footfall civic space. The installation would likely result in the obstruction of pedestrian movement, increase the risk of overcrowding, and hinder emergency access within Cathedral Square. The location lacks the necessary infrastructure to manage crowd behaviour safely, and the screen’s operation would create unacceptable risks that cannot be mitigated within the constraints of the historic environment. The nature of the content also introduces the potential for antisocial behaviour, particularly during high-tension broadcasts, further compromising public safety. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy SWDP 21 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan, the National Planning Policy Framework, and the Planning Practice Guidance. |
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Consultation Responses
Neighbour List
In addition to consultations with the consultee listed, we will publicise the application in accordance with national requirements and our local policy. This publicity usually takes the form of letters to nearby properties, the posting of site notices and/or the placing of a public notice in our local newspapers.
| Address | Sent | Reply Received |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Great Oaty Gardens WORCESTER WR4 0HD | 29/05/2025 | |
| Mode Angel Place WORCESTER WR1 3QN | 06/06/2025 |
Consultee List
| Name | Organisation | Sent | Reply Due | Reply Received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Planning Unit | 16/05/2025 | 06/06/2025 | ||
| City Centre | City Centre Manager (consult shopping areas) | 16/05/2025 | 06/06/2025 | |
| Councillor Adam Scott(Cathedral) | 16/05/2025 | 06/06/2025 | ||
| Councillor Lynn Denham (Cathedral) | 16/05/2025 | 06/06/2025 | ||
| Paul Collins | Conservation Officer | 16/05/2025 | 06/06/2025 | |
| Charles Potterton | Conservation Area Advisory Committee | 13/06/2025 | 04/07/2025 | |
| Jacqueline Godfrey Hunt | West Mercia Police | 13/06/2025 | 04/07/2025 |
Constraints List
| Constraints List |
| SWDP 24: Archaeological Sensitive Areas (ASA) |
| SWDP 6: Conservation Area |
| SWDP 2: Development Boundary |
| SWDP 5: Urban - Unsurveyed |
| SWDP 10: Primary Shopping Frontage |
| SWDP44/1: Retail Allocations |
| SWDP 10: Secondary Shopping Frontage |
| SWDP 10: Shopping Centres |
| Air Quality Management Area: Worcester City AQMA |
| No associated appeals |
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