A PLANNING application for an LED advertising board in Irvine has been turned down after council officers said would be “ harmful” to the area it was being erected.

The application was to build a massive 5.76m wide and 3.84m tall double-sided digital display screen at Auchengate Farm, just off Dundonald Road.

The application was submitted on behalf of Ayr based company TDR Group Holdings Ltd, though the nature of the proposed advert was not disclosed.

However, North Ayrshire Council as planning authority rejected the application.

A report on the handling of the application stated: “In terms of North Ayrshire Local Development Plan Policy 5, proposals for advertisements will only be supported where new advertisements would positively contribute to the visual appearance of the surrounding area. 

“In this case, it has not been demonstrated that the proposed double-sided digital LED displays would positively contribute to the appearance of the semi-rural environment at the application site and its surroundings. 

“It is therefore considered that, by reason of its siting, scale and elevated height, the proposed advertisement displays would be harmful to the amenity of the surrounding area.”

The applicant is now able to submit an appeal to the Scottish Government against the refusal of consent.

They can do so for six months following this decision made on December 16.