Solihull planners who blocked an advertising display at a Knowle petrol station have been overruled by a government inspector.

It is latest in a poor run of lost appeals by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council this year.

The authority's planning officers refused permission for an advertisement display at the Esso garage in Kenilworth Road in April.

A month earlier Wildstone Estates Limited had submitted the application to the authority.

A letter included in the application from planning agents Carter Jonas said: "The proposal seeks the erection of a freestanding D6 small format advertising display which will exhibit static advertisements on rotation.

"This is a standard small format advertisement, which is found across the UK in roadside, retail and transportation environments.

"The proposed D6 small format advertisement display has the same dimensions as a standard 6-sheet hoarding, measuring 1.23m x 2.4m x 0.22m. The advertisement will utilise LCD digital technology which is durable, efficient and can be easily erected with minimal engineering.

"The proposed display will operate with a system of threshold controls, timers and light sensors to ensure the luminance never exceeds the guideline figure at night time."

But in April council planning officer Mark Andrews, the authority's head of planning, design and engagement services, issued a decision note refusing planning permission.

Explaining the decision the officer wrote: "The proposed digital display sign, by reason of its appearance, size and means of illumination, would constitute an obtrusive feature which would cause significant harm to the visual amenities of the conservation area by way of its contrary character and excessive addition to the presence of the filling station."

The applicant appealed the decision with the government's appointed planning inspector Mr Sedgwick visiting the site in June.

And on June 24 the inspector intervened, allowing the appeal and granting permission subject to conditions.

The inspector wrote in a published appeal decision: "The site is within the Knowle Conservation Area.

"The key characteristic that contributes to the significance of the area is the rich diversity of buildings which exhibit different styles of architecture.

"The proposed sign would be located next to a much larger totem sign set in front of the hedge and fence boundary with Cook Close.

"Overall, given the modest size of the proposed sign, the commercial nature of the site, and the level of activity associated with it, I consider the proposed sign would have no impact on amenity or the setting of non-designated heritage assets or the wider area."