Construction hoarding is often one of the most visible parts of a building project. At the South West Wing of Bush House on the Strand, the approved proposal uses printed graphics to give the temporary boundary a clear identity and a more engaging appearance for people passing King’s College London.
Detailed Planning prepared the advertisement-consent application, supported by site drawings and a planning statement. Westminster City Council granted consent on 22 May 2026 under application 26/02613/ADV for non-illuminated hoarding graphics measuring 42.8 metres in total length and 2.54 metres high.
A continuous frontage around the site
The graphics follow the hoarding line around the building, with a layout that accounts for both the straight frontage and the change in direction around the corner. The site plan records where that boundary sits, while the artwork shows how the panels work together as a sequence.
Colour panels, photographs and short messages introduce the university’s identity, research and educational ambitions. Alternating these elements gives the long frontage variety while maintaining a recognisable visual language. The artwork was designed by King’s College London; our role was to prepare and coordinate the planning information needed for its display.
The practical challenge was to connect the graphic layout with the actual site dimensions. During the application, we supplied existing and proposed elevations with scale bars and dimensions in response to the council’s request. That coordination is part of the application stage described in our design and planning process: the drawings need to explain the proposal clearly enough for it to be assessed.
A temporary treatment for a sensitive setting
The proposal is confined to the surface of the hoarding. Its non-illuminated finish avoids introducing lighting into the display, and its limited height keeps the graphics at the site boundary. The design intent is to improve the experience of walking past the works while retaining the temporary nature of the enclosure.
The Strand setting makes the position and scale of advertising particularly important. Our guidance on design in conservation areas explains why street views and the relationship with surrounding buildings need careful attention. Here, the consent is specifically for the low-level hoarding graphics; it does not authorise a larger advertisement across the scaffold above.
What the consent covers
The council’s decision permits the display from 1 April 2026 until 30 September 2027 and requires its removal at the end of that period. The conditions also require the display and its supporting structure to be maintained with regard to visual amenity and public safety.
The result is a defined approval for the proposed graphics, with a clear scale, location and end date. It illustrates the value of matching the application to the actual display. Our planning consultancy and advertisement-consent support includes preparing drawings and application documents for schemes where signage requires council approval.
Planning signage or hoarding graphics?
For a proposed sign or temporary display, discuss the site and your brief with our team. We can review the location, dimensions, lighting and intended duration, then advise on the information needed for the application.
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