Requirement for Permission
A-boards located on the public road network, including the footway, require permission. Legislation requires separate consent to be obtained from both the relevant Roads Authority and the Argyll and Bute Planning Authority. Where the footway is on a Trunk Road the relevant Roads Authority is Transport Scotland.
Roads Authority Consent must be obtained before an application for Advertisement Consent will be considered by the Planning Authority.
A-Board requirements
- Be positioned at the rear of the footway (abutting the shop frontage)
- Only 1 A-board permitted per shop premises to prevent clutter
- Minimum footway width of 1.8m required between board and carriageway
- Must be located directly outside the premises the board relates to
- Businesses without a frontage are not eligible for an A-Board
- Present no hazard to pedestrians or wheelchair users (e.g. sharp edges, protruding nails or moving or rotating signs which could injure children)
- Be no more than 0.6m wide
- Be no more than 1m in height
- Be sufficiently stable so as not to be easily moved or blown over
- Not reduce visibility for road users at a junction, access or bend
- Not obscure any road signs
- Be covered by appropriate Public Liability Insurance
- A-Boards must be removed from pavement areas when the shop premises are closed
- Businesses are encouraged to group together and use "column-style" signage for sign-posting and promotion wherever possible
Designing your sign or advert
Argyll and Bute Council will seek to ensure that advertisements and signs are kept to a minimum and that they relate well to the function and use of the building or structure on which they are displayed. All advertisements should be carefully designed so that the appearance and character or the locality or area in which they are situated is preserved. Public safety is also at the forefront of the decision.
How to Apply
Application for Roads Consent
An application for roads authority consent for the placement of an A-board or similar object must be obtained before the application can be made to the planning department.
- If the sign is to be located on Argyll and Bute Council’s road network an application must be submitted to the roads department.
Download an application form here > - For non-Council roads (e.g. Trunk Roads) application for consent should be made to Transport Scotland via development_management@transport.gov.scot
Application for Advertisement
Once the relevant roads authority has provided consent an application for advertisement can applied for via the below channels.
- Apply online for A-board / Advertisement consent
- Download an application form and guidance for Advertisement consent
(Follow the link on the right of the page for Paper forms)
Please note - these links take you to the national ePlanning portal, where you can apply online or download paper copies of the form. Further guidance on using the portal, including fees, is available on our Make a Planning Application page
Pre Application Advice Service
Pre application advice is an informal advice service provided by the planning authority on a variety of planning related topics including advertisement consent. You can apply for pre-application advice online here.
Enforcement of Unauthorised Signs
The council must consider each case on its own merits and decide upon the most appropriate solution. Where an unauthorised advert has been identified, the Council will proceed with one or more of the following options.
- Informal contact with the advert owner
- Retrospective Application
- Advertisement Enforcement Notice
- Advertisement Discontinuance Notice
- Removal of signs within the Roads Corridor or Pavements
Further information on each course of action can be found in section 15 of the Advertisement and Signage Policy
Need to contact us?
Argyll and Bute Roads Department
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay
Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RD
RAenquiriesMAKI@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Oban and Lorn:
Jackson Quarry, Millpark Road Depot, Oban, PA34 4NH
RAenquiriesOLI@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Helensburgh and Lomond
The Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, 38 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh G84 7PG
RAenquiriesHL2@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Bute and Cowal
Milton House, Dunoon PA23 7DX
RAenquiriesBC@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Roads Customer Services Line: 01546 605514
Argyll and Bute Planning Department
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay
1A Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RD
planning.maki@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Oban, Lorn and the Isles
Municipal Buildings, Albany Street, Oban PA34 4AW
planning.olandi@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Helensburgh and Lomond
The Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, 38 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh G84 7PG
planning.handl@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Bute and Cowal
Milton House, Milton Avenue, Dunoon PA23 7DU
planning.bandc@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Planning Customer Services Line: 01546 605518
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I apply for roads consent and advertisement consent together?
A. No, roads consent must be obtained before an advertisement application can be made to the planning authority.
Q. Can the Council recommend agents to complete the applications on behalf of the advertisement owner?
A. No, the Council cannot make recommendations in order to maintain a neutral position with agents.