Article: Planning - Advertisement Control Article Body Advertisements are an important part of the local scene. Well-designed advertisements can add brightness and bustle to commercial areas. However, cluttered, poorly-designed, overly large or brightly lit advertisements can have an adverse effect on the environment. The standard conditions in the regulations for all advertisements is that they are kept clean and tidy and in a safe condition. They must have the permission of the site owner, which includes the council for adverts on highway land. They must not block the view of road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs and they must not be so permanent that they cannot be removed if required. Although many signs can be displayed without express consent, the council has powers to control the most prominent outdoor advertisements under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007. For further advice on permitted and non-permitted advertisments, please refer to the Advertisement Consent webpage.