‘Illegal’ image is already protected (From York Press)

‘Illegal’ image is already protected

8:47am Thursday 17th May 2012 in Letters

I CANNOT understand the logic of York Open Planning Forum’s proposed list of buildings it wishes to see protected (Chance to preserve historic landmarks, The Press, May 10). I attended a seminar last year when council planning officers advised that following a High Court ruling all demolition was in future to be regarded as “development” for which planning permission was required - even down to a domestic garage.

What purpose would be served by a local list if all demolition now requires approval irrespective of any official listed status?

Moreover, at least two of the photographed examples do have official protection. The White Swan hotel in Piccadilly is within the central conservation area and the Bile Beans illustration in Lord Mayor’s Walk is doubly protected, being both within a conservation area and on the side of a listed structure.

Interestingly, the sign cannot be referred to as an advert because that would require planning permission which it has not got and could not achieve. The image was revealed when the council secured the removal of a large hoarding as part of its city-wide programme of removing huge adverts which were thought to be blighting York's buildings.

It was a bit of a shock to discover a Victorian painted advert behind the old hoarding. It was decided the sign was interesting, but it had to be called a mural and not an advert to avoid contravening planning rules. Matthew Laverack, Lord Mayor’s Walk, York.