‘Brash’ proposals for pink neon signs on an Italian restaurant in Exmouth town centre have been rejected – because they could pose a traffic danger.
Planning chiefs took a dim view of the illuminated items at Prezzo, in The Strand, over fears they could distract drivers near a busy pedestrian crossing.
A bid to brush up the eatery’s frontage with a pair of lit-up ‘Pasta Pizza Vino’ signs and a trio of vinyl window dressings was rejected.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) officers did grant the chain permission to replace its two main, illuminated ‘Prezzo’ signs and for an additional hanging hoarding.
A request for an extra illuminated ‘Prezzo’ sign was also turned down.
Proposals to replace the eatery’s two main ‘Prezzo’ signs were approved.
An EDDC officer said in a report outlining their split decision on the application: “The material and the colours of the ‘Pasta Pizza Vino’ signs and window manifestation vinyls are brash and may distract drivers in an area of a busy pedestrian crossing and a roundabout, and therefore create a hazard to traffic safety, whether vehicular or pedestrian.
“The type, colour and level of illumination of the ‘Pasta Pizza Vino’ and the extra ‘Prezzo’ fascia sign is inappropriate given the general level of lighting in the conservation area.”
The officer said the rejected proposals for Prezzo Exmouth would lead to ‘sign overkill’ and ‘would not sit comfortably’ within the conservation area. They added that the colours and materials were ‘unsympathetic’ to the host building.
Plans for illuminated pink signs at Prezzo Exmouth, in The Strand, have been rejected.
The officer approved the illuminated hanging sing ‘as this attracts attention to the business from the corner of Strand Gardens and local shops’.
The two approved illuminated main ‘Prezzo’ fascia signs and the illuminated hanging sign must be switched off outside of the Exmouth restaurant’s trading hours.
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