View From Blackpool

Publication: Blackpool Gazette

Date: April 29th 2020

Title: Planners refuse Blackpool church bid to advertise events

Community leaders have been refused permission to install digital signage on the front of a Blackpool church because it would ‘detract from the traditional ecclesiastical character of the building.’

It had been hoped to replace traditional signs on Layton Methodist Church with high-tech moving LED images to advertise events being held inside to a wider audience. But Blackpool Council has refused a planning application for the scheme at the building on Westcliffe Drive which is locally listed due to its historical significance. Town hall heritage chiefs said in an objection to the application ‘digital signage is not an appropriate solution for a place of worship’, and added more traditional signage ‘would be preferable.’

Planning officers, who made their decision using delegated powers, ruled the proposed sign ‘would be very prominent and the materials and design of the sign, together with its location and including the use of the LED internal illumination, would be unsympathetic to the character of the locally listed building and the area.’ They said: ‘Animated and moving images would detract from the traditional ecclesiastical character of the building.’

In a letter accompanying the application, project co-ordinator Geoffrey Pritchard said the building was not only a place of worship, but a community hub. He added: ‘Our biggest problem is bringing the news of what we do and offer to the public. We operate a coffee lounge three mornings a week, a mum and toddlers group, a fellowship for older people and have much more both in place and planned. We firmly believe this type of sign will enable us to bring the message of what we offer to a very wide audience.’

He said this would enable them to tackle problems including loneliness and offer support to residents who are unemployed or even homeless.

Publication: Blackpool Gazette

Date: March 31st 2021

Title: Blackpool church plan refused to protect area from 'visual clutter'

A bid to install a digital LED sign on the front of a Blackpool church has been thrown out by town hall planners for the second time.

The application, this time for a slightly smaller sign, at Layton Methodist Church was refused by Blackpool Council officers who feared it could lead to ‘visual clutter’.

But the applicant warned with many churches closing, it was vital to advertise events and services using modern technology.

The decision comes as the council is on the verge of consulting with residents on proposals to create a conservation area in Layton to protect its heritage.

Planners ruled the sign would damage the ecclesiastical character of the building on Westcliffe Drive.

But church trustees warned in their application the digital signage was crucial to advertise the growing number of community activities held there. They said 15 churches in Blackpool had either closed, were boarded up awaiting demolition or had been converted to non-religious uses in recent years.

A letter to the council said: ‘We do not intend to stand idly by and let Layton Methodist close and be converted to a carpet showroom or a restaurant. Where would the heritage of the building be with an illuminated menu on the front elevation?’

Documents add the church ‘is committed to developing its role further in the community and to opening its doors to a wider audience as possible’.

Trustees said while the building was primarily a place of worship it needed to adapt to provide more community based services to the public.

They added: ‘This diversification has brought about their need to bring to the public’s attention their building and the diverse range of services that it can offer for the good of the public.’.

But town hall planners said while LED signs were allowed in the resort's main entertainment areas, their use needed to be controlled in district areas as ‘cumulatively this would result in overbearing visual clutter’.

Publication: Blackpool Gazette

Date: April 6th 2021

Title: Letters: Planners should be supporting churches

With years of decline, which have seen churches across the country being closed for good, you would expect town hall planners to encourage remaining denominations, and give them the support they need to carry on in their vicinity (‘LED church sign rejected’, Gazette, April 1).

Carrying information of church services and events, an LED sign seems viable to say the least, particularly when an individual church wishes to attract members of its community who wouldn’t otherwise know about it.

Using the excuse of ‘overbearing visual clutter’ to reject such plans is a feeble excuse, as is claiming the sign would be damaging the ecclesiastical character of the building on Westcliffe Drive. It’s hardly flashing lights and illuminated tableaux.

When church trustees of whichever faith it may be are knocked back by stuffy town hall planners, it doesn’t make sense that the same body who encourage Blackpool as a resort to continue going forward, yet fail to allow residential communities the benefit of an exterior LED sign to inform locals and visitors of forthcoming calendar events held in church. I see it as moving forward. Otherwise there are more carpet or builders’ storerooms in the making.

And we wonder why there is a decline in congregations!

Clifford Chambers, Ashton Road, Blackpool

Publication: Blackpool Gazette

Date: August 20th 2021

Title: Blackpool church loses planning battle with council

A Blackpool church has lost the latest chapter in its battle to install an LED sign on the front of the building.

Leaders at Layton Methodist Church on Westcliffe Drive had submitted an appeal after the council twice turned down planning permission for the sign. Now an independent planning inspector has also thrown out the application, backing the council’s ruling that the digital message board would be out of keeping with the heritage of the church which is locally listed. The inspector also dismissed warnings from ecclesiastical chiefs who said the sign was needed to help the church survive.

In a written report planning inspector J.M. Tweddle branded the sign ‘a prominent and discordant feature that would significantly harm the amenity of the area.’

The report added: ‘I acknowledge the appellant’s comments in relation to the challenges faced by churches and that many face the threat of closure. I also recognise the important social role that the church plays in the local community and its desire to modernise its methods of advertising events and activities in order to reach a wider audience and realise financial efficiencies. However, these matters do not outweigh the harm I have found, and I have no evidence before me to suggest that the church would cease its activities in the event that the appeal should not succeed. Nor am I convinced that the use of an LED digital sign is the only effective way of promoting the church’s activities to the public.’

The council had refused the application because it wanted to avoid ‘visual clutter’ in the area. But the applicant had warned with many churches closing, it was vital to advertise events and services using modern technology. They said 15 churches in Blackpool had either closed, were boarded up awaiting demolition or had been converted to non-religious uses in recent years.

The council is currently considering proposals to create a conservation area in Layton to protect its heritage.