Will it be second time lucky for March restaurant's sign?

At a planning meeting in September, Fenland councillors refused a retrospective planning application by the owners of F&S Majestic in Broad Street, for the controversial illuminated sign installed on the front of the former NatWest building.

However, now Mr Bahattin Solak, acting as an agent, has submitted a new retrospective application for the same sign.

The internally illuminated sign sparked a strong debate at the September planning meeting when members discussed the Turkish restaurant's signage, which has previously been described at a March Town Council meeting as being "visible from space" because of its size.

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There were concerns from the council's planning and conservation officers because the sign covers some of the important architectural features of the building, and also because it is internally lit, which is not normally acceptable in a conservation area, leading to their recommendation for refusal.

Restaurant owner Fauk Solak had submitted the retrospective application for the sign, following enforcement action taken because the sign did not have planning permission.

The application aimed to put the bureaucratic process right, but unfortunately for Mr Solak, it had the opposite effect, with councillors voting four to two against it being allowed to stay on the former NatWest bank building.

Reports of the councillors' decision sparked a lot of debate on social media, with many members of the public supportive of the restaurant keeping its sign.
The latest application form states: "The applicant has consulted with local neighbours. A positive response was received due to the matching design of the premises."

A decision will be made on this latest application following a new public consultation process, including, reconsulting the town council.