Pilot to reduce 'For Sale' and 'To Let' boards
Estate and letting agents in Brighton & Hove are taking part in a pilot to voluntarily restrict residential sale and letting boards in one area of the city.
From now until next June the council is trialling a one year pilot scheme in the Coombe Road area of Brighton which features terraced streets of houses set close to the pavement with clear geographical boundaries. There has been a high proliferation of residential sales and letting boards in the area, creating an unsightly environment for residents.
The council has been working with estate and letting agents in the city to better manage and limit signage and has consulted the Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association and Southern Landlords Association in drawing up the scheme to promote alternative ways to advertise properties for sale or rent. Estate agent boards are already banned in certain Conservation Areas in the city.
Lead member for planning, councillor Julie Cattell, said: “It is really unattractive to see multiple boards outside properties and where one house is divided up, it is not unusual to see additional boards for each residential unit. Many local agents agree and would like to see this better managed. Estate agents these days have more options to display available properties online with less need for stand-alone boards, so by working together we can create a better environment for residents.”
Planning officers have drawn up guidance for agents to encourage a move towards the display of a single internal window sign or smaller wall-mounted sign attached flush to the front wall of the property.
Approval to set up a voluntary scheme was given by the Economic Development & Culture committee last November.
If successful, the trial may be extended to other affected areas of the city. The new Tourism, Development & Culture Committee will review the effects of the scheme next year.
The pilot has support from local groups and organisations such as Rent Smart Brighton and Hove, the Coombe Road Area Local Action Team and the Universities of Brighton and Sussex.
Find out more about how to get involved with the pilot.
More information about the current bans on estate agents’ boards in some of our heritage areas can be found here