The Round Hill Society

Bored with Marketing Boards

Then review some of the efforts to get rid of them:-

• On Brighton and Hove City's Council's website, look at the Regulation 7 Direction which several other conservation areas are using to control the display of these boards
• Read the sample request for a Regulation 7 Direction (from the Chair of The Round Hill Society) followed by the points made in reply by the Senior Planning Officer in The Council's Heritage Department. 

Areas which have succeeded in banning them

Conservation areas in central Brighton and Hove are spared having their heritage features obscured by Estate/Letting Agents' boards. In these areas, which showcase the city's period architecture to visitors and residents alike, Brighton and Hove City Council has an agreement with estate and letting agencies that they should avoid this method of advertising property.

The controls (Regulation 7 Direction) apply to all residential properties in the following conservation areas: The Cliftonville Conservation Area, Denmark Villas Conservation Area, Willett Estate Conservation Area, The Drive Conservation Area, The Avenues Conservation Area, Brunswick Town Conservation Area, Montpelier and Clifton Hill Conservation Area, West Hill Conservation Area, North Laine Conservation Area, East Cliff Conservation Area, College Conservation Area and Kemp Town Conservation Area.

Are these boards still vital?

Estate and Letting Agencies play a valuable role in helping people to buy / sell / find accommodation. However, in an age where so many people can access the Internet, even on mobile phones, most people looking for accommodation would begin their search on websites such as Right Move. Agencies are only forced to go to the expense of erecting boards when and where their competitors are permitted to use this method of gaining advantage.

Brighton and Hove City Council would not allow any other service to be advertised in this way in their conservation areas. Round Hill's Article 4 Direction also prescribes very closely the architectural features (front door & window types, rooflights etc) which are acceptable on our street facades. It is therefore undestandable why residents who want to take pride ask:

"why is there one set of conservation rules for us, while estate/letting agents are permitted to erect eye-catching boards which are totally out of keeping with the character & appearance of our conservation area?"

Are they good for tourism or heritage?

It is easy to see why our city's tourism and heritage could be compromised by a proliferation of "for sale" and "to let" boards in its great squares leading to the Sea Front.

However, there are valid arguments too for taking pride in Round Hill. In the end, an enhanced sense of community pride should benefit estate and letting agencies, since it will be reflected in property values and the desirability of living in our neighbourhood. Leaving "sold signs" up, long after properties have been sold, is a short-sighted strategy and one which is beginning to annoy people who take more than a short-term interest in our area.

Which agents are displaying these boards?

Crescent Road

Wakefield Road

Richmond Road

Mayo Road

Ashdown Road

Roundhill Crescent

D'Aubigny Road