for happier, healthier cities
The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 changes the way planning applications for new advertising spaces are decided in England. Unless we act now, these decisions might in the future be made only by planning officers, meaning no democratic oversight by elected councillors and less opportunity for local people to raise objections. The Planning and Infrastructure…Continue reading Who decides? New rules for outdoor advertising planning applications
An application for a large digital billboard on Muller Road, Bristol, has been refused. (Bristol planning application number: 26/12005/A) A big thank you to everyone who objected via the council’s online portal and shared it around. There were at least 41 formal objections from residents. One less advertising hoarding is always a win for Adblock…Continue reading Billboard? More like nilboard! A win from Bristol
A new study has found a correlation between billboard advertising and liver disease. In the study, led by St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, researchers found a correlation between the placement of advertising billboards promoting alcohol and unhealthy food with hospital admissions for liver disease. According to the new research, patients admitted to hospital with serious…Continue reading New study links billboard ads with liver disease
Adblock Bristol first started to input into the Bristol Local Plan back in 2018! We then responded to the Review Consultation in March 2019 and managed a petition which received 1,850 signatories supporting no new billboards. In 2022 we fed in how outdoor advertising impacts on health and wellbeing and the local economy, and in…Continue reading Remember the Bristol Local Plan?
More councils are clearly understanding the impact of outdoor advertising on their local communities and the environment, and are taking a stand against unhealthy advertising in their neighbourhoods. This includes introducing Healthier and Ethical Advertising and Sponsorship Policies. So far we know that four councils in London have explicitly included a commitment on advertising in…Continue reading Labour and Greens commit to addressing unhealthy advertising in local elections manifestos
With local elections happening across the UK on 7 May 2026, we’re looking for motivated volunteers to secure pledges from candidates to restrict harmful advertising if elected. As an Election Champion, you will be supported by the Adfree Cities team to contact local candidates where you live and ask them to sign the Adfree Cities…Continue reading 2026 local elections: Will your candidates sign the Adfree Cities Pledge?