'Excessive' Leicester Square advertisements denied

"Leicester Square shouldn't become a no-go zone for people like me and there's thousands of us people like us who cannot stand the overstimulation. Objector Michael Riley raised accessibility concerns about the bright LED lights, highlighting how the screens would negatively impact people with visual processing difficulties and create an unwelcoming environment for vulnerable populations in a central London location."

"The LED screens would be more fitting for Disneyland Paris. Chair of the sub-committee Patrick Lilley's comment reflected the council's view that the proposed advertising installation was disproportionately excessive in scale and character for the Leicester Square location, ultimately influencing the decision to refuse the application despite arguments supporting its appropriateness for an entertainment district."

Banner Holdings Limited sought permission to install five LED screens across multiple floors of a building at 39 Charing Cross Road in London's Leicester Square to display static advertising images. The application was refused by Westminster City Council Planning Sub-Committee. Objector Michael Riley raised concerns about the bright LED lights causing overstimulation for people with visual processing difficulties, arguing Leicester Square should remain accessible to vulnerable populations. While Ward Councillor Louise Hyams supported the plans as appropriate for London's entertainment district, the committee chair Patrick Lilley stated the screens would be more fitting for Disneyland Paris. A council case officer recommended refusal, describing the advertising as being on an excessive scale. The applicant's representative argued the signs matched the building's character, but the sub-committee disagreed and rejected the proposal.

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