“Gaudy” signs could be the lifeline of rural businesses, Limerick county councillors have told the local authority’s planning officials.
And they have back up their claim by asking the planners to take a more lenient approach to unauthorised signage.
Cllr Liam Galvin (FG) said that many rural businesses “can be isolated. The first thing people need is adequate signage so that people know where to find them. Yet businesses in the county are being fined for putting up signs”.
Cllr Damien Reidy (FG) said that he has had a number of “distressed” phone calls from business owners who have received letters threatening fines. “That hardline attitude is terribly wrong,” he said.
Cllr Kevin Sheahan (FF) raised the issue of temporary signs and notices. ‘I believe we should have a special licensing system that would allow people to advertise sales and other special events”.
Director of services, Tom Enright said that the council “tries to get the balance right. Most of the time, we are acting on complaints about signage from members of the public who say they are gaudy.
“A recent example was the issue in Ballysimon where there were more than 100 signs on either side of the road. We want an attractive approach to Limerick and we can’t have a free-for all. But we will bear in mind the members concerns”, he said.
Above: County councillor Liam Galvin.
