PLANS for a new Spar convenience store in Carlisle city centre took a step forward this week.

A planning application for a new sign was submitted to Cumberland Council's planning department.

It was for a site in English Street, at the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill, and on Monday (June 10) officers decided to grant planning permission subject to a number of conditions.

According to a planning document a number of issues were considered before the decision was made including the impact the sign would have on the local amenity.

The report states: "Factors relevant to amenity include the general characteristics of the locality, including the presence of any feature of historic, architectural, cultural, or similar interest."

According to planning policy the quality and character of places can suffer when advertisements are poorly sited and designed taking account of cumulative impacts.

The report states: "The application seeks advertisement consent for the display of one fascia sign with external troughlight illumination.

"The size, design and siting of the new signage is appropriate to the premises. Furthermore, the signage would be seen in the context of existing signage within the immediate vicinity.

"Accordingly, the proposed signage would not form a discordant feature within its immediate surroundings."

In addition, they considered the impact of the proposal on the nearby listed buildings and the city centre. The report states: "The application site is located within the City Centre Conservation Area and is within the vicinity of several listed buildings."

It adds: "In considering whether to grant planning permission for development which affects a listed building or its setting, the local planning authority or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

"Accordingly, considerable importance and weight should be given to the desirability of preserving listed buildings and their settings when assessing this application.

"If the harm is found to be less than substantial, then any assessment should not ignore the overarching statutory duty imposed by section 66(1)."

According to the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 "special attention shall be paid to the desirability or preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area".

It was assessed that the proposal would "preserve and enhance the setting of the nearby heritage assets and secure the optimum viable use of the property".

Another issue which was considered included the impact of the sign on public safety and the report states: "In the context of the building and existing signage within the immediate vicinity, the scale and design of the signage would be appropriate and would not pose a significant danger to public safety."

The report concludes: "Whilst the proposal would be visible, the size, design and siting of the new signage is appropriate to the premises and would be seen in the context of existing signage within the immediate vicinity.

"Accordingly, the proposed signage would not appear overly obtrusive, incongruous or result in a discordant feature within its immediate surroundings."

In addition, as there were no verbal or written representations received during the consultation period, the application was considered and determined under the council's delegated powers procedure and permission was granted.