By John Baron
Campaigners opposing corporate advertising in Leeds have objected to plans to replace an existing paper and paste advertisement billboard with a digitally illuminated LED display.
Applicant Wildstone Estates wants to update the existing billboard at 105 Town Street, Stanningley and has submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council.
Documents submitted with the application state: “The site has been selected due to its suitability for advertising and will help to establish a network of displays in the area.
“It will be capable of being operated from a central location and significantly reduce vehicle trips for reposting when compared with a traditional poster and paste billboard.
“This is part of an industry wide drive to rationalise, modernise and update advertising infrastructure to meet modern requirements.”
Adblock Leeds has objected to the proposals. The group is opposed to corporate advertising, which it claims damages the environment, creates overconsumption, negatively impacts mental health and generally favours an unsustainable system.
It says: “This one is located on a stretch of road with lots of vehicle movement due to nearby shops, on-street parking and an adjacent parking lot.
“Since it is a replacement for a paper billboard, the applicant claims it won’t affect road safety but … there was never a road safety assessment and it has been proven time and time again that digital billboards are more distracting that paper ones.
“There are also residential properties just above the site. A bright, moving screen positioned just below their windows will significantly affect residents’ comfort and quality of life, in particular at night.”
Leeds City Council aims to decide the application by 6 August 2025.
The plans can be viewed here.
Sponsored content
