HOW A NEW INITIATIVE WILL BE TESTED BY BRIGHTON LETTING AGENCY?

 An experiment to deliberately limit home sale and renting boards in one region of the city is being conducted by an estate and Brighton letting agency.

In Brighton's Coombe Road neighbourhood, which has terraced streets of homes situated close to the sidewalk and distinct geographic borders, the council is currently testing a one-year pilot programme until next June. In the region, there have been a lot of home sales and leasing boards, which has allegedly made the neighbourhood ugly for residents.

The Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association and Southern Landlords Association were consulted during the development of the plan to encourage alternative methods of advertising properties for sale or rent. The council has been working with estate and letting agencies in the city to better manage and limit signage. In a few of the city's Conservation Areas, Brighton letting agency billboards are already prohibited.

"It is highly unsightly to have many boards outside homes, and if one property is divided up, it is not uncommon to see extra boards for each residential unit," said councillor lead member for planning. Many local letting agents Brighton concur and favour improved management of this.

"By working together, we can create a better environment for residents," one estate agent once said. "Best Letting agents in Brighton these days have more alternatives to promote available homes online with less need for stand-alone boards."

Agents are advised by planning inspectors to promote the use of a single inside window sign or a smaller wall-mounted sign that is flush with the front wall of the property.

The Economic Development & Culture committee approved the creation of a voluntary programme in November.

The project may be expanded to other impacted sections of the city if it is effective.