A retrospective planning application for advertising consent and listed building consent submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council for advertising signage installed at the King Vape Shop on Devonshire Street, Penrith has attracted strong opposition from members of the public with 161 objections lodged against the application so far.
The application is for advertising signage installed on the shop front when the business opened last year that includes an externally illuminated fascia sign, a non-illuminated fascia sign and an externally illuminated hanging sign.
King Vape occupies a listed building within Penrith's town centre Conservation Area, meaning consent is required for alterations and signage that could affect the character and appearance of the property. Documents submitted with the application state that consent was not sought before the signage was installed.
The agent for the applicant claims the signage was designed to avoid obscuring architectural features and to remain in keeping with the scale of neighbouring commercial premises.
The business believes the signage helps identify the business while respecting the character of the listed building and its town centre surroundings.
One local resident said “As a local resident it is very concerning to see the amount of unauthorised and inappropriate advertisements in the conservation area which are having a detrimental impact on the character of the conservation area.”
One local business owner commented the illuminated signage is an “absolute eyesore on the town centre” the said “I have a business inside the Devonshire Arcade and the illuminated signs were so bright it made the place look like the Blackpool illuminations! Penrith is a historic town with listed buildings, the current signage on the building is bad enough with the bright colours and the fact the whole entire front of the shop is covered in signage, to then have the illumated would make it so much worse.”
One of the owners of the nearby General Wolf said “The sign is ghastly and unsightly. Maybe a sign that fits the town aesthetic would be more appropriate”
Despite the strong local opposition to the application, Penrith Town Council has yet to formally consider at a meeting of its planning committee or comment on the application with the town councils next planning committee not scheduled to take place until offer the consultation closes.
The retrospective application will be considered by Westmorland and Furness Council with the volume of objections to the application likely to see the decision put before the councils planning committee to assess the impact of the signage on both the listed building and the wider Conservation Area before reaching a decision.
The application is open to public consultation on the council planning portal until the 4th of July
View Application /2025/2195/ADV on council planning portal
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