To Let signs to be banned across major city
Letting agents across parts of Newcastle will have to apply for planning permission before they erect boards.
The new regime, which begins in January, is being brought in after the city council successfully applied to the Government for restrictions on the display of boards.
Regulation 7 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 allows local authorities to apply for restrictions.
A Regulation 7 restriction means anyone wanting to put up a To Let board must get planning permission first. If they do not, the council will be able to take enforcement action.
The council says that the number of boards have been excessive in parts of the city.
A voluntary curb on lettings board, in place since 2008, had not been successful.
The ban will not apply to For Sale boards but from January, letting signs that go up without planning permission could lead to prosecutions of agents and landlords.