Petrol forecourt must tone down

May 6 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

IN a traditional market town which prides itself on historic buildings and subdued architecture, it was always likely to cause a stir.

People living in Morpeth, Northumberland, were left feeling distinctly off-colour when a new petrol filling station opened up sporting bright yellow and white fascia and illuminated price signs with fluorescent green lettering.

Almost 50 local people bombarded council planning officials with complaints about the appearance of the new facility, claiming it looked “garish”, the neon signs stuck out like a sore thumb and it caused light pollution for neighbouring properties.

Town councillors joined the chorus of disapproval, saying the yellow colouring was inappropriate, the brightly lit signs were not necessary and tree planting was inadequate to screen the facility from nearby homes.

Now supermarket chain Morrisons – the operator of the filling station and car wash in Dark Lane on the outskirts of the town – are taking action in a bid to tone down its visual impact.

Castle Morpeth councillors will be recommended by officers to approve the company’s retrospective planning application for signage at the facility, which opened at the end of March.

The application involves reducing the area of bright yellow fascia, the removal of a gable sign, reductions in illuminated signage and only allowing signs to be lit during trading hours. The filling station was built as part of a £35m retail redevelopment taking place in Morpeth, but its modernistic appearance shocked many people in the conservation community.

Yesterday town councillor Derek Thompson said: “In the early stages of the plans, it looked like there would be a big bund with trees around this filling station and that it would be very well screened. But when it was built, it was much more visible than people expected and it looks very inappropriate in that part of the town.

“It dominates the whole landscape and is a large building which looks more in keeping with an industrial estate. Lots of people said the signs look cheap and nasty and too garish. Now Morrisons are trying to tone it down but, if we could go back in time, I don’t think it would be allowed.

“It looks as though we are stuck with it now but at least they can get the signage right. Nobody minds another garage but the look of this one doesn’t blend in with that part of the town.”

A report to the borough council’s development services committee next Tuesday says the site is in a verdant river and landscape corridor, and the filling station signage should reflect this.

It says negotiations have been held with Morrisons to address concerns that the signs are too numerous and prominent, with excessive illumination.

“It is considered that the amendments made to the amount of illuminated signs and the colour of the fascia are now acceptable,” it adds.

No one from Morrisons could be contacted yesterday.