East Lothian Courier | News | Pub sign deemed ‘unsightly’

Thursday, 24th July, 2008

Published: Friday, 21st March, 2008 09:00

Pub sign deemed ‘unsightly’

PLANNERS have ordered the owners of The Laffin’ Duck gastro-pub to remove external signage deemed out of character with the local conservation area.

East Lothian Council has told Oxford Hotels and Inns it is unhappy with the four illuminated signs – three to the front and one at the rear – of the former Waterside Inn, Nungate.

The front entrance to the historic 18th century building is flanked by wooden signs with yellow lettering on a red background.

Above the doorway is a 3.2metre long aluminium sign featuring red and brown lettering on a lime green background (see picture above). A further aluminium sign, measuring 3.9 metres long, is on the rear wall.

Bob Oliver, acting planning liaison officer for Haddington and District Community Council, reported to the watchdog group’s meeting last week:

“The new sign for The Laffin’ Duck has been refused because it is aluminium instead of wood, is higher up in a more prominent position, and is unsightly.

“The council is not happy with it because it is not in keeping with the antiquities of the area.”

A council spokesman confirmed that an enforcement action notice had been served on the owners for the removal of all four signs.

He said: “The director of planning has determined that the signs are harmful to the visual amenity of the area, and are out of character with a listed building and the local conservation area.”

Management at The Laffin’ Duck, which officially opened for business on February 28 following a major refit, declined to comment.

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