Developers working on properties in Kensington and Chelsea are being warned to make sure they have the necessary consent from the council’s planners to advertise their presence.
The royal borough has so far this year removed of 102 advertisements that were being displayed without permission following reports from residents.
Developers breaching the law are first given a seven-day notice to remove the advert.
Despite the vast majority complying with the council demand, those that do not are prosecuted, with two companies paying fines and legal costs totalling £20,794 over the past 12 months. A six further prosecutions are planned.
Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council planning policy chief Cllr Timothy Coleridge said: “We recognise the needs of businesses to advertise their services, but we do expect them to do this lawfully.
“Unfortunately, some developers ignore the rules and turn their hoardings and scaffolding covers into huge adverts, sometimes in the heart of historic and sensitive residential areas.
“This is unfair on our residents and it is unfair on those developers that follow the rules and we will take action to remove offending advertisements and will prosecute when required.”
