Salthill pharmacy ordered to remove 'loud' signage
Galway City Council has ordered the removal of lighting and “bold” pink and green colours from the front of Care Pharmacy in Lower Salthill.
Owner Noel Forde had sought permission to retain the signage with integrated lighting and the corporate pink and green colour scheme and graphics.
However, planners expressed serious concerns about the signage and how they stand out.
The signs are at first floor level and are on the front and side elevation. The two signs on the first floor level of the front advertise the pharmacy and hair and beauty salon respectively, the sign on the side advertises the pharmacy.
“The signs advertising the pharmacy have integrated lighting. A large pharmacy cross symbol graphic also wraps around the front and side at first floor level and over the corner window.
“The building has a stone finish with vibrant bold colours painted green on the two-storey side and pink on the front of the first floor extension. The colours used in the signage and graphic reflect this colour scheme.
“There are three projecting lights at first floor level, there is also lighting over the signage at ground floor level. It is considered that the City Council would have serious concerns regarding the development.
“Signage at first floor level and projecting spotlights are generally not permitted. The large-scale graphic and colour scheme also stand out too strongly, the signage is out of scale with the building and contrary to policy limiting the number of signs on any property.
“The development detracts from the quality of urban design of the building and if permitted, would lead to an undesirable precedent. There is also concern that the development detracts from the residential amenity of the area, particularly having regard to the location of the development at the entrance to an existing housing estate,” Executive Planner Michele Beirne said.
The Council refused permission to retain the signage.
“It is considered that the signage with integrated lighting, other signage, corporate colour scheme and graphics to be retained is excessively obtrusive, does not integrate into the streetscape generally and affects the character of the area,” planners said.