OTLEY'S MP has met with the the owners of a controversial billboard on Bradford Road to discuss residents’ concerns in detail.

On Friday, Leeds North West MP Alex Sobel met Phillip Allard the COO and Planning Director of Wildstone.

Due to the current planning laws regarding advertising boards, it is not possible to have the board removed. But Mr Sobel said he had been able to negotiate measures that will hopefully result in meeting residents’ immediate concerns.

Mr Sobel said Mr Allard had reiterated the company's apologies for the digital billboard being previously turned on at the wrong lux output. The COO explained that the board is rented by a third-party company who are now receiving training to ensure that this error does not reoccur.

A curfew between 10pm and 7am had been put in place following previous discussions between Mr Sobel and Wildstone.

Whilst this seems an acceptable solution during the summer when the days are long, Mr Sobel raised concerns that this may become unacceptable when the dark nights during winter set in.

He said: “I have therefore requested that when the clocks change, so does the curfew to a more acceptable time of 9pm to 7pm. Mr Allard will request this from the renters of the board and envisages no problems with the ask. I will of course keep the residents of Otley updated.”

Mr Sobel said the advertisements were due to go live sometime in the next week or so.

Furious residents launched a petition calling for the removal of a illuminated billboard outside their homes when it was lit up in June.

People living on Piper Lane and Bradford Road in Otley said they were initally subjected to bright light shining into their homes 24 hours a day. The sign was switched off to allow the issue to be resolved. Approval for digital billboards does not go through the usual planning permission process. Residents are not consulted, and decisions are not referred to councillors.