A LANDLORD has slammed the “arrogant” way in which council enforcers have threatened him over an advertising board, saying he has been treated like a "serious criminal".

David Rayner has been told by Colchester Council bosses to remove a sign highlighting the services on offer at Wilco Motor Spares, in Butt Road.

The large yellow plaque, understood to measure roughly three metres by two metres, is fixed to the side wall of a neighbouring house.

Signs advertising businesses in operation next door have adorned the semi-detached property since at least 1959 when Mr Rayner’s father purchased the site.

Gazette:

Colchester Council, however, have now served him with a discontinuance notice threatening prosecution and financial penalties if he does not remove it.

The authority believes the advertising board is visually “detrimental” to what has been a designated area of conservation since 2020.

Having looked into the legalities of the situation, however, Mr Rayner says the sign benefits from ‘deemed consent’, meaning he does not need permission for it.

“For more than 60 years we have never had an issue and I think it is disgusting the council can do this with no prior communication,” added Mr Rayner.

“I have been threatened as if I am some sort of serious criminal – it is just so out of order and unnecessary because I just want to have a dialogue.

“I cannot believe a local authority can be so arrogant and their point blank refusal to be open to any form of discussion is potentially a far more serious issue.”

Gazette:

Mr Rayner, who says the advertising space is worth £1,500, said he would have considered working with the council to replace the sign with a suitable alternative.

Due to how he has been treated, the multi-portfolio holder is no longer as receptive to the idea, so he must now decide if he wishes to appeal the decision in the High Court.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “The display of advertisements on the site is considered detrimental to the area due to scale, prominence and visual intrusion.

“The use of the land for the display of advertisements also degrades the appearance of the junction on which the site is located.

“The council’s proposals for the conservation area advise signage should be small and discreet - intrusive modern signage will be resisted by the council.

“The council is supportive of well-designed signage that is contextually sensitive and would be pleased to discuss alternative designs with the site owner.”