NEON signs have been disallowed at a Northallerton bar after a planning inspector branded them “alien and incongruous”.

Burning Nights Services, who operate The Potting Shed on Northallerton High Street, had appealed against Hambleton District Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for two sets of external neon signs at the venue

The Grade II Listed building pub is part of the former Ruston Hospital site and is in a conservation area.

Government Planning Inspector Roger Catchpole dismissed the appeal over the signs, saying they would harm the character of the area.

One of the neon signs has already been installed on the building’s facade and Mr Catchpole said: “I observed from my site visit that the neon sign on the front of the building has led to the introduction of a highly incongruent, alien feature that is wholly at odds and lacking sympathy with the architectural interest of the listed building.

“I found this to be the case during daylight hours when I visited the site and note that this harm would be significantly greater during the hours of darkness when the sign is illuminated.”

Mr Catchpole added that the appellant had not proved that the advertising signs were vital to the viability of the business.