COUNCILLORS IN Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, voted to accept a plan to erect 60 on-street advertising signs worth €10 million at a meeting last night.
The council agreed not to carry the signs, to be erected by Clear Channel Ireland, in 10 architecturally sensitive areas, including Dalkey.
Alternative sites would have to be found for the two square metre signs, the meeting was told.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillors gave a broad welcome to the plan and the €10 million it would raise over 10 years for the council, which is to be earmarked for amenity.
Green Party councillor Tom Kivlehan asked that signs close to schools should not carry adverts for alcohol.
His party colleague, Cllr Gene Feighery, said the council should have put the matter out to public consultation.
“I don’t think they improve the built environment,” she said.
Councillors also raised concerns about whether the signs would obstruct people with wheelchairs or the visually impaired.
Richard Shakespeare, director of recreation and amenity at the council, said the disability officer would examine the signs and their positioning before they are put up.
There was an “appropriateness clause” in the contract between the council and Clear Channel to ensure only suitable advertising was carried on the signs.
“Politicians ads will of course be welcomed, provided you pay the rate,” he said.
Councillors also gave the go-ahead to retain a controversial car park on what was a circus field at Booterstown.
The development had angered local residents who claimed water birds at nearby Williamstown Creek could be threatened by the work.
The creek was designated a special protected area under the EU law Natura 2000.
Councillors voted 14 in favour and 13 against the development, which had already been built by the council.
