Giant digital billboard could be heading to Scarborough town centre

An artist's impression of the billboard - the Sealife Centre branding is just for context, the application has nothing to do with Sealife.

Measuring more than three metres in height and six metres in width the illuminated advertisement, known as a “48 sheet” display, will adorn the wall of the Victoria Golden Tandoori in Victoria Road.

Sitting almost five metres above the pavement the LED sign would present static images, which change every 10 seconds, while no moving images or videos would be used.

The applicant, Graeme Hughes, states in his submission to Scarborough Council that the illuminated display would be switched off between midnight and 6am.

Similar billboards have been granted planning permission in Rhyl and Blackpool, though neither has been erected at this time.

A previous application for a traditional “paper and paste” billboard was refused in 2011, with an appeal against the decision thrown out the following year.

The reason for the refusal was that it was felt a billboard at that location would detract from the “visual amenity” of the area.

The current application to the council states that the building lies outside of Scarborough’s Conservation Area and is surrounded by the town’s police station, the Job Centre Plus building and an Aldi supermarket.

The new plan is now out to consultation.