Tenby Civic Society has criticised a sign attached to a cliff face at a popular Welsh beach as "unacceptable". The sign, which reads "The Galley Restaurant", advertises the restaurant in the Belgrave Hotel on the Esplanade. It is fixed to the Esplanade arches on the cliff face below the road and pavement at Tenby's South Beach.
Concerns raised at planning meeting
The concerns were raised during a planning meeting that discussed advertising along the seafront at South Beach. In a statement sent to Pembrokeshire County Council, the society said: "This sign is unacceptable, its design location cuts across the rhythm of the Esplanade arches, is too prominent and spoils the appearance of the arches and the cliff and the character of the conservation area and the important dramatic character of the cliff's landscape above the South Beach."
The society provided photographs of the sign and argued it should be taken down. Warning that the sign could set a precedent, the statement added: "This large sign should be removed. The planning authority should take action, or every hotel will feel entitled to follow suit with large signs on the cliff."
Separate hotel sign approved
The issue was raised during a meeting in which councillors decided on a separate sign submitted for approval by Martin Phillips of Clarence Hotel (Tenby) Ltd. Mr Phillips, owner of the Clarence House Hotel, which is a few buildings across from The Belgrave on the Esplanade, requested approval for the installation of a sun protection board or advertisement panel in the clifftop garden area opposite his hotel.
A supporting statement explained the garden required a sunshade, with the panel intended "to put the company logo with the name of the garden and state that it is open to the public to enjoy". It indicated the sage green with a rose outline pattern "would help blend it in as far as is reasonably practicable with the nearby garden to minimise visual disruption".
Approval granted with conditions
The proposal for the Clarence Hotel sign received support from Tenby Town Council and endorsement from the civic society, while a single objection was submitted. An officer report recommending approval noted the proposed works were on the opposite side of the road to the hotel; along with its neighbour, the hotel has a separate cliff-top garden and seating area opposite, complete with bar and tables.
The report said the scheme applied for was "considered to be in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form". The document continued: "As such, the application can be supported subject to conditions. The objection refers to the lettering of the sign and potential ambiguity as to the precise location of the clifftop garden. The sign appears to relate well to its site and context and there is no concern as to its wording."
Park planners granted approval for the Clarence sign proposal, subject to conditions.
