advert wraps around empty buildings or building sites

We have no specific policy on this, and would apply the normal advertising regulations - IF any application was received at all. This is a problem in Bristol, and not just on listed buildings.

One notable case was the building wrap which appeared on the Tollgate House office tower block (formerly the home of the Planning Inspectorate!), at the bottom of the M32 and one of the gateways to the city, after it was vacated, and prior to its acquisition by CPO for the regeneration of Broadmead shopping centre. The wrap bore a massive 10-storey high 'fcuk' advert. I think we took enforcement action against that one, because it was so prominent and so crass. Many more of them go unenforced though, because we simply don't have the resources to pursue them.

My concern with these was that in certain cases, the revenue generated by a wrap could actually inhibit redevelopment of a vacant and derelict building, if development was marginally viable.

The developer/building owner would argue that the wrap looked better than the crumbling building, and the scaffolding was essential for public safety. Most scaffolds have to be shrouded these days for H&S reasons, so it makes sense to make use of the need for some sort of shrouding material. They can also sometimes enliven the street scene.

My approach to a wrap on a listed building under restoration would be to insist on an image of the building itself, possibly sponsored by some discreet advertising down near ground level - on the lines of 'this wrap sponsored by...etc'

There is also an opportunity for developers to make their contribution to 'public art' by commissioning artworks/installations on a wrap. We managed to secure this with the above-mentioned Tollgate House, when it was eventually being demolished. It had been completely shrouded in white by this time, and artworks were projected onto this giant canvas at night, as the building gradually diminished behind its shroud.

We would certainly follow this approach with one of our own Corporate projects, irrespective of the revenue potential - otherwise where would we be with private owners?

With non-listed buildings, or Conservation Areas, where the character of the area may be at issue, we would treat cases on their merits - possibly conditioning size of ad and aiming to limit potential impact, especially on drivers.

But as I say, we often don't get any advert application - the wrap just appears and no enforcement action is taken unles a specific complaint is made. So it's a bit of a free-for-all really.

The new draft Advert Regs 2006, don't seem to go much further in this respect, though levels of fines are mentioned - these are unlikely to be much of a deterrent

Good luck with your run-in with the Culture/Property department!

Regards

Richard