Fried egg sign refused by Blackpool planners

It's no 'yolk' for a Blackpool B&B which has fallen 'fowl' of planners after an illuminated fried egg was installed onto the rear of the property.
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The Art B&B on the Promenade, near Springfield Road, has been refused planning permission for the feature and ordered to remove it.

The recently-opened venue - part of a council-backed venture to restore a rundown hotel - has got into hot water after heritage chiefs judged the sign had an "adverse impact" on the Town Centre Conservation Area.

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While other signs which were part of the application have secured approval, the fried egg sign has been rejected.

Sign of the times - egg must come downSign of the times - egg must come down
Sign of the times - egg must come down

In notes accompanying the decision, town hall planners say "there is adverse impact on the setting of the conservation area from the high level fried egg on the rear elevation.

"It would set a precedent with regard to high level signage. In addition it would result in clutter, as there is also proposed a sign on the rear between the ground and first floors."

Planners add "the egg should either be removed" due to its "being contrary to guidance" or else "relocated above the rear entrance" in place of the Art B&B lightbox.

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Council heritage chiefs objected to the fried egg, which was put in place last summer, because it can be seen from Springfield Road which is within the conservation area.

Permission has been granted for more traditional signage at the front of the B&B which includes an illuminated projecting sign, and a back lit menu-style lightbox.

The £1.3m project has seen the former rundown 17-bedroom Ocean Hotel transformed by creative group Left Coast into a boutique-style hotel which will also support the resort's arts community.

Blackpool Council bought the property for £203,000 in 2016 to kickstart the project which was subject to a number of delays before finally being completed last year.

Other funding has come from sources including the Coastal Communities Fund and Arts Council England, Community Business Fund, Tudor Trust and the Clore Duffield Prize Fund.

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