Estate agents face ban on For Sale signs

Estate agency signs are to be banned in parts of west London after claims they are an eyesore.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has approved plans to extend a ban that stops "for sale" and "to let" signs being put up on properties in six conservation areas.

They are Hammersmith Grove, Olympia and Avonmore, Gunter Estate, Walham Green, Parsons Green and Moore Park.

A rule, known as Regulation 7 under the Town and Country Planning Act, already bans such signs in Barons Court and Sinclair Road. It was introduced in 2006 after residents complained about the signs.

Councillors are waiting on the Secretary of State for Local Government to approve this latest extension and expect a decision this spring.

The council hopes in the long term to extend it over the entire borough.

In a consultation with residents last year 98.7 per cent of people who responded wanted the council to get rid of the signs altogether.

Resident Mary Pillai, of Olympia, said: "These boards are litter and are not necessary in this age of internet access."