In light of JCDecaux’s bullying approach to the local council and local communities, Adblock thought it would be good to hold a family-friendly, socially-distanced, community demonstration on Bath Road advertising site (pictured below). On Saturday 18th July at 10.30am.
The backstory is that over 65 objections were lodged against advertising giant JCDecaux’s planning application (19/04821/A ) for two new digital screens. All the councillors on the Planning Committee at Bristol City Council who decided on the planning application in February and March 2020 expressed their opposition to the boards. They felt, however, unable to find sufficient legal grounds to reject both the boards, so they rejected one screen and approved the other screen – subject to conditions.
You can read the full story here:
http://adblockbristol.org.uk/2020/04/aggressive-advertisers/
There was a real sense of democratic deficit in the comments of the councillors, that despite not wanting to approve the boards, their hands were being tied by narrow planning legislation and the threat of losing an appeal by JCDecaux.
Having received approval for 1 out of 2 digital screens, JCDecaux have now appealed this decision with a belligerent and bullying letter to the Planning Inspector. JCDecaux want both screens approved and the conditions dropped. They make no mention of the opposition in the local community to their plans.
Ahead of the Appeal meeting later in July, we would like to hold this public event to visually demonstrate our opposition to JCDecaux’s plans. Local media will be invited to cover the story.
Plan for the day– Assemble at 10.30am at Bath Road billboard site:164 – 188 Bath Road Totterdown Bristol BS4 3EF
– Stay 1 metre apart. Wear a facemask.- Hold some banners and take some good photos. There will also be some other creative visual props that we can bring on the day.