A GOVERNMENT planning inspector has overturned a Bradford Council decision to block an illuminated advertising sign on Tong Street.

Clear Channel was refused planning permission to replace an existing advertising sign on the side of Top of The Range Irish Cafe with LED signage last year.

Officers felt the sign would "not contribute to the visual amenity of the area" and claimed the existing sign it would replace did not have planning permission in the first place.

The company appealed that decision and now government planning appeals officer L Wilson has decided to uphold the appeal, and allow the digital sign to be installed.

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Their report said: "I consider that advertisements are an established feature within the street scene.

"The proposal would not introduce a novel or alien feature into the area."

Referring to Council claims that much of the signage in the area was unauthorised, they added: "I note that the existing advertisement has been in situ in excess of ten years and has not been subject to enforcement action."

In recent months Bradford Council has refused a number of planning applications to replace advertising billboards with illuminated billboards - mostly due to the visual impact on the area.

Many of these have gone to appeal - with planning inspectors backing the Council's stance.