SAWTRY sex shop operator Pulse and Cocktails is likely to appeal against refusal of advertisement consent for a 20-feet high ‘totem’ sign outside the former Little Chef building just off the A1.

Planners at Huntingdonshire District Council have approved two smaller signs outside the premises in Toll Bar Way, but said the overall impact of the proposed totem – intended to replace the current ‘goalpost’ sign and to be more visible from the A1(M) – “by virtue of its height, unnecessary proliferation of signage and visual intrusion on the rural character … would result in significant harm to amenity”.

Pulse and Cocktails managing director Graham Kidd said he was considering an appeal but, even if it were successful, there was no guarantee that the licensing authority – another HDC department, which will probably consider the application to renew the sex shop’s licence in mid-May – would consent to the totem sign.

The council received a total of 18 objections to the signage applications, including on grounds of road safety, the wording proposed for the signs, the risk of anti-social behaviour and many other matters, many of them outside the scope of a planning application.

The planners did not feel the impact on public safety was such as to warrant refusal of consent, but the impact on amenity was.

Letters – Page 29.