Lib Dem councillors in Crouch End have succeeded in fighting the erection of a 48-sheet poster site on Crouch Hall Road and now want to see it removed by Christmas.

The calls came last month after councillors discovered that the poster site had been erected illegally some years ago and the company responsible for it were now seeking retrospective planning permission.

Crouch End Councillors David Winskill and Ron Aitken wrote to Haringey Council objecting to the poster site, which is situated in Crouch Hall Roadjust 50 yards from the Grade Two listedClockTower .

Councillors Aitken and Winskill said that the sign was an eyesore and damaged the character and appearance of the Crouch End conservation area

Last week, Haringey Council reported that it would be refusing the belated application. Since then, Cllr Winskill has requested the Council’s enforcement team gets in touch with the site operator and demand its removal.

They are both delighted with the news but want Haringey Council to ensure that the illegal billboard is removed swiftly. They also want to see the Council doing more to monitor and enforce the removal of illegal poster sites in the borough.

Cllr Winskill (Crouch End) comments:

“Crouch End is a conservation area and this is a complete eyesore. We want it taken down by Christmas and myself and Cllr Aitken will keep on the case until it is removed.”

Cllr Aitken (Crouch End) adds:

“This is one of a number of billboards that have appeared in the borough without planning permission. It is time the Council started getting tough on businesses when they show a disregard for local planning rules.”