THE OWNERS of a newly opened shop on Penarth seafront have been granted planning permission for a controversial sign.

Peter Knowles and Andy Bradshaw, the owners of ‘Shore’ on the Esplanade, were given an early Christmas present after their plans were approved by the Vale council planning committee last Thursday, December 18.

Councillors unanimously approved the sign, with Penarth councillors Cllr Rhiannon Birch Janice Birch, Gwyn Roberts and Mark Wilson all giving their backing to the application.

The matter had been called-in to the planning committee by Penarth councillor Maureen Kelly-Owen, after she described the sign as “crude” and said she couldn’t give it her support.

Following the approval the owners of Shore, who also run Hamptons in the town centre, said: “We're thrilled to announce that the Vale of Glamorgan planning committee have approved our sign.

"Thank you again for all your kind words and support - which have been very much appreciated.”

The single non-illuminated sign, measuring 1800mm in length x 1400mm in height x 20mm in depth, has a full wood colour effect with a printed and laminated background, and reads ‘Shore’ Life is better...at the beach’

The planning committee was the first council meeting to be streamed live online by the local authority.