Powers to be exercised in the interests of amenity and public safety
3.—(1) A local planning authority shall exercise its powers under these Regulations in the interests of amenity and public safety, taking into account—
(a)the provisions of the development plan, so far as they are material; and
(b)any other relevant factors.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1)(b)—
(a)factors relevant to amenity include the general characteristics of the locality, including the presence of any feature of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest;
(b)factors relevant to public safety include—
(i)the safety of persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military);
(ii)whether the display of the advertisement in question is likely to obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air;
(iii)whether the display of the advertisement in question is likely to hinder the operation of any device used for the purpose of security or surveillance or for measuring the speed of any vehicle.
(3) In taking account of factors relevant to amenity, the local planning authority may, if it thinks fit, disregard any advertisement that is being displayed.
(4) Unless it appears to the local planning authority to be required in the interests of amenity or public safety, an express consent for the display of advertisements shall not contain any limitation or restriction relating to the subject matter, content or design of what is to be displayed.