Advertisement control in England is part of the planning control system, and consists of rules made by the Secretary of State. These are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.

Local planning authorities (usually the local council) are in charge of the day-to-day control of advertisements, and decide whether an advertisement should be allowed or not.

Types of advertisements we control

As the local planning authority for Barnsley, we make decisions about a wide range of advertisements and signs including:

• posters and notices
• placards and boards
• fascia signs and projecting signs
• pole signs and canopy signs
• advance signs and directional signs
• estate agent boards
• flag advertisements
• traffic signs
• town and village name signs

Standard conditions for advertising

All outdoor advertisements must comply with the following standard conditions:

• be kept clean and tidy
• be kept in a safe condition
• have the permission of the owner of the site on which they're displayed (this includes the council if the sign is to be placed on highway land)
• not obscure, or hinder the interpretation of, official road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs, or otherwise make hazardous the use of these types of transport
• be removed carefully where so required by the planning authority

How to apply

You need to apply for permission to display any advertisement bigger than 0.3 square metres (or any size if illuminated) on the front or outside your property (home or business).

To apply, fill the relevant planning application form and post this with the application fee and detailed plans of your proposal to: Development Management, Barnsley Council Planning and Regulatory Services, PO Box 604, Barnsley, S70 9FE.

What happens next

When we receive your application, fee and plans, we'll consider your proposals and carry out the necessary consultations. We'll then make a decision on your application and issue a decision notice.

If we grant permission for you to display your advert, the consent will usually last for five years. We can also grant consent for longer or shorter periods.

Appeals

If you're not happy with our decision, you can appeal within eight weeks of receiving this to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Call 0117 372 6372 to ask for an appeals form.

More information

For more detailed advice about advertisement control, see the following links:

• Planning Portal advertisement information
• Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers