Lights Out!
Westfield illuminated sign to come down after outcry from residents
Westfield have agreed to remove a giant illuminated sign from the side of the shopping centre after a barrage of complaints. The sign appeared on the Wood Lane side of the building at the end of last week, causing an outcry from nearby residents who said the light was shining right into their homes and demanded that it be turned off.
“I can see this monstrosity from every east-facing room in our house and garden,” said nearby resident Dominic Thomas. “Even after midnight it is still blazing furiously and the light is strong enough to create shadows within our house! It is completely insufferable. Even without the lights switched on it ruins every view we have. After all the noise, litter, parking issues, and builders I thought Burger King was the last straw, but this is the real nail in the coffin,” he said.
Another resident said the sign could be seen from far off: “You can certainly read the sign as you fly into and out of Heathrow - I saw it on Wednesday flying out and again on Friday coming back,” said resident Malcolm Vernon.
After a series of complaints at the weekend, Westfield held an internal meeting on Monday (February 9) to discuss the issue and afterwards announced that the offending sign would be removed. “Although the sign along with all other signage around the building went through due process and was given planning approval after standard consultation procedures, we appreciate the affect this sign will have on local residents. The sign will remain unlit until removal which will be done as soon as practicable,” a Westfield spokesperson told residents.
“We have also listened to concerns about the lighting to the perimeter plant screen. We agree that the illumination levels should be reduced to acceptable levels and we will switch off the lighting in accordance with centre closing hours,” the spokesperson said.
In 2007, Westfield were granted planning permission to display “14 internally illuminated 'Westfield' signs, 9 stainless steel 'Westfield' signs and 1 vinyl/opaque sign to external elevations.” However, many residents brought up the question of light pollution and said they hadn't been consulted over the Wood Lane sign.
The Council have denied that no consultation took place: “A full and thorough consultation was carried out,” a spokesperson said. “The following local groups and residents' associations were consulted: Hammersmith & Fulham Historical Society, Shepherd's Bush Place Residents' Association, Shepherd's Bush Residents' Association, Wood Lane Residents' Association, Edward Woods Tenants' And Residents' Association, Transport for London. There were internal consultations with Urban Design & Conservation and Highways departments; site notices were displayed and a press notice was published.”
The planning application documents state that no 'Environmental Impact Assessment' (EIA) was carried out. “It is not required for this type of application (advert),” said a Council spokesperson. “EIAs are only necessary for large scale developments. This does not mean that the impact of light pollution was not assessed, however: a planning officer assessed the impact of the signs in an overall assessment of the proposals and concluded that they were acceptable.”
Shepherd's Bush Green Councillor, Ed Owen, has proposed a series of monthly meetings to bring Westfield, residents and councillors together to discuss such issues before they occur.
In the meantime, residents have thanked Westfield for agreeing to remove the sign: “Many thanks for this which gives us all a little ray of hope as we are sometimes listened to,” said resident Sharon Carter.
Yasmine Estaphanos
10 February 2009
