Advertising boards will go up on three roundabouts in Balsall Common despite concerns they distract drivers. 

Applicant Steve Green of CP Media originally submitted the plan last May for four signs on the Kenilworth Road and Station Road roundabout; four on the Dengate Drive and Chapel Drive roundabout and three on the Kenilworth Road and Hallmeadow Road roundabout.

The proposal was for the signs measuring 1.2 metres by 50cm on aluminium posts be placed in a position facing each of entrance roads to the village roundabouts.

But when the application went out to consultation there were objections, including from Balsall Parish Council.

The application went before the latest meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's planning committee where planning officer Kim Allen said: "They (the signs) are innocuous, non- illuminated, relatively low."

She highlighted the committee had refused a similar application at Kenilworth Road and Hallmeadow Road in 2018.

But the officer pointed out the committee could only consider public safety and visual amenity.

"The recommendation from officers – highways engineers raise no objections and we feel these signs assimilate with the street furniture around," the officer said.

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In the public speaking section Balsall parish councillor Richard Lloyd said: "These roundabouts are on the main road through the village.

"They aren't easy, they are quite small roundabouts. There are vulnerable users trying to cross the road, children and the elderly.

"There are cyclists mixed in with impatient and speeding motorists.

"The last thing we need is for drivers to be distracted and that is exactly what the advertisements are intended to do." 

The parish councillor said villagers wanted "uncluttered streets and public spaces" adding they all wanted Balsall Common to be as "attractive as possible".

In the committee members debate Cllr David Cole said: "Signs on roundabouts, see them every day.

"There are loads of them in the north of the borough, large, small, complex junctions.

"Thousands of cars pass them, no one takes any notice. I couldn't tell you what is on any of them.

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"I don't see them causing any accidents anywhere."

Cllr Mark Wilson said: "People do get distracted by them sometimes.

"There are a lot of accidents at roundabouts, partly through speeding but it could be driver distraction."

He pointed out a similar application in Meriden came before the committee last year and was approved, but he said he had voted against that due to the cluttering at roundabouts.

Cllr Dave Pinwell added: "The principal is proven not to be a highways risk."

When the vote was taken eight councillors voted in favour, with none against and one abstention.