AN appeal has been made against planning refusal for a 23 feet high totem pole sign to advertise electric vehicle (EV) charging points on the Westpark business park in Chelston, Wellington.

Motor Fuel Group Ltd wanted the sign to promote an EV site being built behind its Shell petrol station and Budgens convenience store.

But Somerset Council planning officer Karen Wray refused because the ‘siting, scale, illumination, and cumulative visual impact will harm the visual qualities of Exeter Road and distract road users, resulting in a hazard to public safety’.

Town councillors also objected, saying such advertising was unnecessary because there were apps which gave the location of charging stations.

An application in May of last year for a similar 23 feet high sign was withdrawn after town councillors opposed it on the grounds it was ‘overbearing on a site which already carries many large signage items’.

Planning agent Rahma Dwimunali, of CarneySweeney, said: “The new EV charging facilities have a role to play in serving the needs of passing motorists as well as the surrounding catchment.

“Customers may just be passing through the area and hence may not be familiar with the site and the range of facilities on offer.

“Providing a single user totem at the petrol filling station will improve the legibility of the nearby EV charging facility for passing motorists.”

Mr Dwimunali said it was expected a service station would have advertisements designed to be visible to road users, which the council previously accepted in approving the site’s existing signs.