A LARGE sign pointing people to attractions in Barnard Castle may be intrusive and end up damaging the view, fear town councillors.
Durham County Council is working with The Bowes Museum to increase footfall.
Council staff have submitted a planning application for a 2.65m high sign at Amen Corner, a small area of public space between the Market Cross and St Mary’s parish church.
There will be a banner for The Bowes Museum and a sign pointing people to the “antiques quarter” on The Bank.
A spokesman for Durham County Council said: “The consensus amongst retailers in town is that shoppers tend to get to the Market Cross and not realise that there is additional retail on The Bank and many other historic buildings to experience so they do not go any further.
“The aim of the directional sign is to make people aware of the quirky retail offer.
“The Bowes Museum banner is to encourage additional footfall into the museum and to further sustain this major heritage asset.”
However, members of the town council’s planning committee are worried about its size and also suggested that Durham County Council may not own the land, which was spruced up by the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership in 2013.
Town clerk Michael King said: “Amen Corner is from time to time maintained by Durham County Council but the ownership of it is unclear.
“It does not appear on Durham County Council’s gazetteer – it’s not an item that they claim.”
Cllr Sandra Moorhouse said a sign that’s more than eight feet tall would be an “intrusion” .
She suggested that the original idea was to put up an interpretation board about the Market Cross, pointing people to the shops on The Bank and the castle – not mainly about The Bowes Museum.
“One concern is street furniture.
“We have got a lot down that area now,” she added.
Cllr Louise Findlay said: “It’s nearly two metres wide – that’s quite big. I think it’s a little too big.”
Cllr John Blissett agreed it would be intrusive.
There were also concerns about the sign affecting the view of the Market Cross from the bench at Amen Corner, and the structure’s impact on the rose garden, which was originally planted in honour of the town’s association with Richard III.
Councillors agreed to asked to see more detailed designs, saying the council had only submitted a hand-drawn design.
They also wanted an artist’s impression of what it would like in situ before making further comment.
Durham County Council said the framework for the sign would be installed in the rose bed which it owned.
However, councillors agreed to seek more clarity on ownership.
