A company which persistently placed advertising signs along a busy Babergh road – in spite of repeated requests for their permanent removal as no consent had been granted – has been fined £400 and ordered to pay £400 in costs.
Babergh District Council’s prosecution against Sign Dynamics, of Unit 12a Sterling Complex, Farthing Road, Sproughton, was heard yesterday (October 27th) at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court.
Babergh took enforcement action as the sign was placed without the necessary consent needed from Babergh, was unsightly and a potential distraction to drivers near to the busy A14 slip road.
Numerous requests had been made to Sign Dynamics to remove the sign over the past 12 months. At one point the sign was removed at the request of Babergh officers – only to be replaced a short time afterwards.
The company pleaded guilty to the display of illegal advertisements.
This isn’t the first time this year Babergh has been successful in prosecuting a company for placing illegal advertising in the same location.
In April, Williams Tyre and Exhaust Services Ltd. of Boss Hall Industrial Estate was fined £500 and ordered to pay £30 in costs for the same offence.
Cate Buck, Babergh’s Environmental Protection Officer, said: “Babergh does not resort to court action lightly but felt in this case, given the persistent non-compliance with the Advertisement Regulations, we had no alternative but to prosecute.
“Babergh has policies which have to adhered to for good reasons that serve the interest of others living and passing through the district – and Babergh had already successfully prosecuted another company this year for displaying illegal signs in this location.
“We are pleased with the result. It sends a clear message to other potential offenders that we will not hesitate to take robust action against them when negotiations fail.” ENDS
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