Forum Topic

Estate agents' boards

There's a report in the latest HammersmithToday about banning estate agents' boards in a H&F conservation area. Unfortunately, there's no indication which conservation area it is (other than saying Baron's Court is another area). Does anybody know?Kensington & Chelsea council did this several years ago and it was quite successful. In their case - and it may be the same in H&F - it was not a ban as such. Rather, estate agents had to apply to the council for planning permission for boards and this was always refused.Most estate agents were fairly conscientious about respecting the ruling - after they'd got the hang of having to do it in the first place. But one agent - F*r*n S*t*r*a - was quite blatant in continuing to stick up boards. Maybe it's mended its ways now.My then residents' association took it seriously - after all, they'd campaigned for it in the first place. One committee member walked round the area regularly noting boards and informing the council. Oherwise, estate agents tended to flout the rules if they felt like it - and they did.

Rosemary Pettit ● 6786d2 Comments

HiTwo areas are covered by the recent estate agent board ban.Unlike the approach described in K&C these are proper bans - but for limited areas, and my understanding is that they make use of a new regulation allowing these geographic bans to be put in place.The two areas are Sinclair Rd in Brook Green - and a number of streets in Barons Court.  I am one of the councillors in North End so I know more about the latter.Having successfully followed through and achieved the bans in these two areas the council's approach is now to be resident-led.  Where a group of residents can show that there is strong community support for a ban in its area the council will make an application to bring this into force. Unfortunately this cannot occur just overnight - there is  quite a slow process which involves individuals from the Home Office!  The case has to be made that residents want the ban - and an inspector is sent round to take a look at the area and make a ruling.If anyone wants to pursue this in their local area a good starting point would be to contact their local councillor to get a steer on how to get going.

Caroline ffiske ● 6749d

I believe the Sinclair Road area residents' association were the most active in pursuing this so I would imagine they would be the area referred to. The road was certainly notorious for the number of boards on display so well done to them for achieving this.

Paul Corcoran ● 6754d