Tonight, councillors will consider a proposal to retrospectively approve opaque film on the shop’s windows, as well as a coat of canary yellow paint.

Fifteen signs have been applied for, but only five have been recommended for approval and two of them will need to be moved from the awnings to above the awnings.

In a report to councillors, staff acknowledged while it was reasonable to place business identification signage above awnings, the council did not have the power to approve the ones proposed because they did not comply with state policy.

“The applicant is not interested in any negotiation with council, and the current scheme before council has many aspects that are not permissible under the legislation,” the report said.

The report said the opaque film contravened the conditions set when Chemist Warehouse moved into the building and painting whole buildings in “unsympathetic corporate livery” was generally not approved in heritage conservation areas, where only business and building identification signs are allowed.

“The signs are configured so as to flood the street environment rather than respect the existing architecture,” the report said.

“It has been suggested to the applicant these shortcomings could be addressed by relatively simple amendments and relocation of some signs.”

Chemist Warehouse has been involved in a number of Land and Environment Court proceedings in different local government areas, including Tamworth, involving similar sign applications.

The business was contacted for comment.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au