A NORTH CORNWALL businessman told to take down his roadside signs or face prosecution has vowed to ignore the council's order.

Barry Harding was told by Cornwall Council to remove signs advertising his building business, HMG, in Trevone near Padstow or face a maximum fine of £2,500.

However, Mr Harding, who has had the 3ft-by-3ft signs up for more than 20 years, remains defiant.

"Why now?" he asked. "I could understand it if I'd just put the signs up, but they've been there for decades, directing people to our business."

A Cornwall Council enforcement officer wrote to Mr Harding following an unannounced site visit.

A spokesman for the council confirmed the officer had been responding to complaints from the public.

"Members of the public have expressed concerns to the council in respect of a number of unauthorised advertisement signs in and around the Trevone area," he said.

"Officers have visited the sites and subsequently written to a number of business-owners informing them of the regulations and the need to remove or apply for advertisement consent, as appropriate.

"It's an offence to display any advertisement sign in contravention of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007, with the offence being subject to a maximum fine of £2,500 upon summary conviction in the magistrates' court, with a continuing daily fine of £250 for failing to remove the unauthorised advertisement."

Mr Harding, who employs 20 people at his building firm, was critical of the council's actions and said he was saddened that someone complained to the council instead of coming to him.

"If someone has a complaint with my signs, why don't they come to me?" said Mr Harding.

Vital

"These boards are neat and well-designed and are vital to us for bringing in business. I've just spent the past 30 minutes on the phone talking to new customers who contacted us because they saw the signs. If you take the signs down, our business will suffer. It just doesn't make sense and I'll fight this decision."

The council spokesman said it wanted to find the best solution for everyone involved.

"Naturally, the council will continue to work with local business-owners to avoid embarking on a course of formal action, but will do so where necessary," he said.