SUPERMARKET giant Safeway will be ordered to remove ten bright yellow advertising banners which have been attached to lamp posts in the Tavistock store's car park.
The order comes from West Devon Borough Council's planning committee, which decided at its meeting in Okehampton on Tuesday that the banners were 'detrimental to the character and appearance of the area'.
The committee also refused the store permission for a further advertising sign on front of its petrol station canopy.
Cllr Ted Sherrell, ward member for Tavistock South, said: 'I've got no ideological objection to signs, but there's basically absolutely no need for these signs and the number of them.'
Cllr Sherrell said he found the proliferation of advertising at Safeway 'frankly gratuitous'.
'It's legalised graffiti and totally unnecessary. It would be like Goose Fair down there every day,' he said.
Cllr Dick Eberlie said the level of advertising had gone 'beyond what is reasonable'.
And Dave Chidgey, who lives near Safeway, said he was 'totally disgusted' at the appearance of the yellow banners.
'They stick out like a sore thumb,' he said.
Safeway erected the 2.7 metre long banners some weeks ago and originally, planning officers recommended granting planning permission.
But just before Tuesday's meeting, the department realised the Safeway site fell within an area of special control of advertisements.
Jane Green, planning services manager, said: 'We see it as a slow and gradual degradation of the appearance of the whole area, rather than causing a visual disturbance to a particular dwelling.
'The only two areas of the borough actually exempt are the town centres.'
Peter Sitch, spokesman for Safeway's property and development department, said: 'We will have to consider the matter and see how we take it forward.
'It's certainly unusual for advertising banners to be turned down — we will need to consider our options.'
Safeway will be given 28 days to remove the banners.