A PLANNING inspector has backed Bradford Council's decision to block plans for a digital billboard at one of the District's busiest junctions.

In April the Council refused an application to install an illuminated digital advertising screen at the side of 800 Harrogate Road, Greengates - a Costa Coffee.

Officers said the sign would be "visual clutter" as well as being a distraction to motorists approaching the busy Greengates junction.

It is the latest in a string of applications for digital signs in the District that the Council has refused in recent years.

Another Manchester Road digital sign appeal fails

Applicant Straight Life Ltd appealed the decision, arguing that the sign would make no different to traffic safety at the site.

But now that appeal has been dismissed by a Government appointed planning inspector.

Inspector Dianne Cragg said: "The digital illumination of the appeal proposal would result in a visually incongruous feature that would stand out from the other, more modest, advertisements in the area, dominate the street scene and be visible for some considerable distance along the road.

"The proposed illumination levels indicated in the application form would appear dazzling later in the evening and at night. This would be a distraction to drivers at these times.

"That would be a public safety hazard."