AHOUSING developer is facing enforcement action over a series of illegal signs which have angered people in a Northumberland town.

Persimmon Homes is likely to be ordered to remove the signs which it put up at its development on the site of former council offices in Morpeth without planning permission.

The signs have angered neighbouring residents, who claim their estate’s entrance resembles an amusement park, and Northumberland County Council is set to act.

The company erected five signs advertising its housing scheme on the former offices of Castle Morpeth Borough Council at The Kylins.

However, it then emerged the company had not sought planning permission.

Council officers held discussions with the company and claim it agreed to remove all but one of the signs.

Persimmon bosses said they would submit a retrospective application to retain that large sign.

The company submitted the application and that was approved by the authority’s North area planning committee on Thursday night despite opposition from Morpeth Town Council, The Kylins Residents’ Association and one resident.

However, the company was yet to remove the remaining four signs last night. It has been given until Monday to take them down or the council will serve removal notices.

Last night, Persimmon was criticised by people living at The Kylins and a county councillor.

Joan Tebbutt, secretary of the residents association, said: “We objected on the grounds that it was a retrospective application, which is kind of typical of a lot of developers who go ahead with a lot of things and do the legal bit after.

“We suggested that it would be a good idea that if people do that, they should be made to pull these things down and do it properly. The sign is large, it is one of many that they have got up there.

“If it was one nice tasteful sign we would not have a problem with it.

“It looks like the entrance to an amusement park.”

Mrs Tebbutt said she was not surprised the retrospective application had been approved, with officers having recommended approval. Yet she added: “I am pleased that the county council is taking action. I am just interested to see whether Persimmon will bother to comply.”

Husband Andrew, a town and county councillor who spoke against the retrospective application at Thursday’s meeting, added: “I think it is unreasonable for them to get permission for a sign when they have already been told they have excessive signage and it should be removed.”

Coun Dougie Watkins, a member of the North area planning committee, added: “They are professional people, they should not make mistakes.” A council spokeswoman said: “We have been discussing the signage with the developer as there are more than the permitted number of signs at the front of the development.

“They had agreed to remove unauthorised signage and submit an application for consent to retain a single large sign. The application has now been approved and it has been agreed that the company be given until Monday, January 9, to remove unauthorised signage, after which we will serve appropriate removal notices if necessary.”

Persimmon did not comment.