Residents in Sandown are objecting to new light-up billboard signs on the Broadway, fearing they will create unacceptable light pollution.
Currently, 2 advertising billboards stand on the corner of Parsonage Road and the Broadway but plans have now been submitted to change that.
Applicant, Wildstone Estates, is asking the Isle of Wight Council for permission to upgrade 1 of the billboards to an internally illuminated digital poster, standing at the same level as the existing ones 1.3 metres off the ground and 3 metres high and 6 metres wide.
Documents say the sign, primarily facing traffic heading down the Broadway towards the roundabout and garage, will be made of lightweight LED panels, showing a static illumination instead of a changing picture.
The proposed new illuminated billboard could have a brightness of 600 cd/m2. Laptop displays and mobile devices usually range between 200 and 300 cd/m2, with some of the brightest televisions reading over 1,000 cd/m2.
A neighbour opposite the site has objected, saying they feel it would be too bright and coming through their windows at night. 1 objector argues the Isle of Wight Council has installed new street lamps which reduce light pollution, only to then consider this application. They said:
“The light pollution from this sign in a wholly residential area is unacceptable. On an industrial estate is one thing, but there are houses all around the site.”
Another said drivers should be focusing on the road and traffic, not being distracted by what is, by nature, intended to be eye-catching.
Island Roads, however, said the new sign would not pose any more of a distraction to motorists than the existing signage, and with no highway safety concern nor pose a risk to pedestrian safety, it deemed the proposal acceptable.
Plans show the other billboard, facing straight across the road, would be removed.
To view the plans, 21/01005/ADV, you can visit the council’s planning portal. Comments will be accepted until 21st June.
The Council only allow these unsightly hoardings in areas they don’t care about, I’m sure none of them would allow these next door or opposite their properties..
-How much nicer it would be to have some flower beds and shrubs at that location; one can see that the owners don’t care less about the locals either.
What the flip has it got to do with island roads
Im have a plumber company so does that give the same say as island roads. Its nothing to do with them its the COUNCIL that should have the say and listen the the residents.
Well if island roads say it is ok,whom are we to disagree with them, after all they are the professionals and keep this island on the move! And who ever keeps calling them the iw Mafia are dead wrong!
PS, sorry, I was being sarcastic you know x
If this just doesn’t show how bent the IOW council is.Then could someone please draw me a diagram. There was a time time I loved living here.Time to sell up and move to Jersey. One island at a time.
Peace out.
Very distracting especially as you come up to the roundabout and ugly ugly ugly so many signs everywhere to promote businesses with no thought of how bad they look