Plans for ‘excessive’ advertising in Leicester Square have been halted after complaints that they would be better suited in ‘Disneyland’ and would create a ‘no-go’ zone.
Banner Holdings Limited had put forward plans to install five LED panels along 39 Charing Cross Road, which would be continuous illuminated bands displaying static adverts.
But the building it would be attached to is located within the Leicester Square Conservation Area, which requires plans to ‘preserve or enhance the character or appearance’ of the area.
Chair of the Westminster City Council Planning Sub-Committee, Councillor Patrick Lilley, argued that the screens would disrupt the street and ‘would be more fitting for Disneyland Paris’.
The bright lights would also be unwelcome to people with visual processing difficulties, creating a ‘no-go’ zone around the central London cultural hub.
Michael Riley said: ‘Leicester Square shouldn’t become a no-go zone for people like me and there’s thousands of us – people like us – who cannot stand the overstimulation.’
Council Case Officer Sebastian Knox added that the plans were excessive and recommended that the application be refused.
But Councillor Louise Hyams argued that Leicester Square would be the perfect spot to install the huge LED strips, as it was the heart of London’s entertainment district, reports MyLondon.
Banner Holdings Limited had put forward plans to install five LED panels along 39 Charing Cross Road, which would be continuous illuminated bands displaying static adverts
Henry Squire, from Squire and Partner Architects, had also reportedly said that the panels would be in keeping with the area’s character as well as be an opportunity to support local businesses.
Although the developers had similarly argued that the plans would be in keeping with the area and not cause harm to the public, the sub-committee came to their decision last Tuesday to halt the application, claiming that the panels would harm the appearance of the building and the area.
They wrote in their draft decision letter: ‘Because of the excessive scale, high level positioning and cumulative illuminated visual impact of the five proposed LED screens, the advertisements would harm the appearance of the building and the appearance (amenity) of the area.
‘They would also fail to maintain or improve (preserve or enhance) the character and appearance of the Leicester Square Conservation Area and would harm the setting of the Grade II listed Hippodrome.’
It is not the first incident where Leicester Square has been a source of contention for locals.
Noisy buskers in the square inflict ‘psychological torture’ on nearby office workers, a judge ruled last year.
Staff at Global Radio, home to stations including LBC, Heart FM and Classic FM, say the racket through their windows is so bad they are forced to make phone calls in cupboards.
Simon Thomas, executive chairman of the Hippodrome Casino, said he is ‘plagued’ by noise on a frequent basis which leaves him unable to work.
Westminster council has now been ordered to clamp down on buskers playing amplified music on an endless loop.
The judge at City of London magistrates court ruled: ‘While the volume is the principal mischief, it is clear that the nuisance is exacerbated by the repetition and poor quality of some of the performances,’ he said.
‘As I observed in the hearing, the use of repetitive sounds is a well-publicised feature of unlawful but effective psychological torture techniques.’
During an earlier hearing, the court heard the council had failed to act despite ‘a long history of complaints’. Council employees said they were often unable to respond to complaints about specific buskers as their offices were a 30-minute walk away.
Global employees made recordings of the noise at their desks, some of which were played in court, including renditions of Fast Car by Tracy Chapman and Someone Like You by Adele.
The ‘excessive’ advertising in Leicester Square was stopped over complaints that they would harm the appearance of the building and the area
Showbiz editor Charlotte Jacob said: ‘It’s incredibly distracting. Yesterday in the office in the afternoon I was not able to conduct a conversation with a colleague two desks away, probably three metres max, as someone was singing Hallelujah very loudly.’
Michelle Gammon said she was ‘astonished by how loud it was’ and recalled ‘hearing the vocals in the loo at the back of the building’.
Gareth Andrewartha said the noise was so bad he had to duck into cupboards to escape it.
Global hired top law firm Mishcon de Reya for the legal challenge, taken under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and was backed by the Hippodrome Casino and the nearby Chinese Community Centre.
After the hearing, a Westminster council spokesman said: ‘We understand the legitimate concerns raised in this case.
‘Following this judgment the council will continue seeking a balance between minimising nuisance to our residents and businesses whilst ensuring performers can continue to add to the vibrant heritage of street entertainment in Westminster that has been loved by many for decades.
‘Our city inspectors and environmental health teams will continue to partner with the police to address noise complaints and will continue to seize equipment or prosecute individuals when necessary.’
