12:00pm Wednesday 13th January 2010
By Tim Ridgway
Estate agents claim they are being “victimised” by a city centre ban on “for sale” signs.
Brighton and Hove City Council scrapped the trademark boards in designated conservation areas in September 2008.
But Phil Graves president of Brighton and Hove Estate Agenct Association (BHEAA) said the ban threatened the existence of a number of agents.
A final decision on plans to remove “to let” and “for sale” signs from areas stretching from Hove Street and Sackville Road to Kemp Town will now be made by a Government official after a BHEAA appeal.
Mr Graves said, who said estate agents wanted the controlled area to be more tightly drawn, added: “We’re being victimised. The boards form a major part of our marketing and as long as they laws are followed it should continue.
“We’re going through an extremely difficult time at the moment and if passed it could be the end of a number of our agents.”
Geoffrey Theobald, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said the council had the backing of city residents.
The hearing on the ban will take place in Hove Town Hall on March 9. Written representations must be made before February 8.
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