Giant ad billboard at Elephant & Castle vetoed by council

Last July we reported that Transport for London had objected to plans for a 52-metre advertisement to be erected during refurbishment works at Draper House on the grounds that it would "exacerbate accident and collision risks" by presenting a distraction to motorists at Elephant & Castle's southern roundabout.

TfL's safety argument was not accepted by the planning inspector who later considered the case but he did reject the proposed billboard on visual grounds, including its impact on the setting of the listed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Last week Walworth Community Council rejected a similar application for a smaller illuminated advertisement on the grounds that "the proposal by reason of its scale, nature and proximity to the nearby grade II listed Tabernacle building would harm the setting of this significant heritage asset".

Remedia International wanted to display a large-scale advertisement on the scaffolding to be erected around the council-owned building for 13 months whilst refurbishment was carried out.

The community council decided to reject the proposal despite a recommendation from officers that consent should be granted.

A number of Draper House residents had objected to the application for advertisement consent.

An objection was also submitted by the Metropolitan Tabernacle citing environmental and safety concerns.

"The content of the advertising to be displayed on such a major site may well lower the moral tone of the neighbourhood which is currently subject to major regeneration investment and international interest," wrote Chris Cooper, assistant to the church's pastor Dr Peter Masters.