A town council has removed a sign advertising a bonfire after admitting it breached its own planning rules.

Evesham Town Council removed the signs, which promoted its event "Evesham Bonfire and Fireworks" following a complaint from a member of the public.

The signs were taken down less than 24 hours after the complaint and the council has admitted its sign was larger than it allows. Other organisations have also been asked to remove signs that are too large. 

Rob Robinson, the owner of Brew Bear, made the complaint. 

He said: "I think it is quite telling that the council removed the signs less than 24 hours after my complaint. 

"I am very surprised that they took such an immediate response because I don't think planning enforcement would have reached a decision in that time. 

"According to planning enforcement, the district council is very lenient with advertising for events as long as they abide by the rules. 

"I have a sneaking suspicion that the council will create more signs that will abide by these rules but why have they wasted taxpayer's money with non-complicit signs when they know the legislation?"

Signs advertising events fall under "deemed consent" and so do not need to have prior planning permission so long as they stick to the rules. 

The sign must be put up less than 28 days prior and removed less than 14 days after. 

It must also not exceed 0.6 square meters in length and have the landowner's permission.

Mr Robinson continued: "It seems like it's one rule for them and one rule for everyone else.

"I think all events are good for the town but ones that are run by private individuals and not by the town council should have the same opportunities. 

"It's not fair to residents to act with such hypocrisy and waste public funds on advertisements that they do not lawfully have permission to display."

An Evesham Town Council spokesperson said: "Planning Enforcement will respond to complaints about advertising.

"In this case, they have received a complaint about the event banners in Evesham.

"One of the banners in place belongs to the council to advertise its Bonfire and Firework event at Corporation Meadow, which aims to raise funds for Evesham Adventure Playground, Ourside Youth and Wallace House.

"Following the complaint, the council has removed the banners.

"Essentially, any advertising above 0.6m2 needs planning consent, this is anything above A1 size and the banners were larger than this.

"Other organisations have also been contacted by Planning Enforcement and asked to remove their event banners, these include events run by Evesham Live and Bretforton Amateur Dramatics among others."

(Image: Rob Robinson)

David Hammond, head of planning services for Wychavon District Council, said: “We can confirm we have received a complaint about signs which it is alleged may breach planning regulations and we are investigating.

"If the rules have been breached then appropriate and proportionate action will be taken, including requiring the offending signage to be removed within the legally required timeframe.

“All businesses and event organisers are reminded that most outdoor advertising for commercial activities requires advertisement consent.

"However, temporary notices and signs may be allowed for the announcing of any local event of a religious, educational, cultural, political, social or recreational character without advertisement consent, providing they satisfy the requirements under the Advertisement Regulations.

"We advise people to contact our planning team before displaying an advertisement to ensure consent is not required.”