Construction sites are an unavoidable part of modern towns and cities. While they play a vital role in regeneration and development, they are often visually intrusive and can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. However, when approached creatively and strategically, construction site hoardings can be transformed into a powerful and cost-effective advertising medium.
This project in Guildford, Surrey, is an excellent example of how hoardings for advertising can deliver long-term value while improving the streetscape. The Geoghegan Group recognised the opportunity to use their site hoarding not only as a safety and security requirement, but also as a highly visible advertising asset during the construction of a new rehabilitation home.
Making the Most of a Prime Location
Location is everything in outdoor advertising. The Guildford site benefits from its position on one of the main arterial routes into the town, with consistently high levels of passing traffic throughout the day. Thousands of commuters, pedestrians, and local residents pass the site daily, making it an ideal location for large-format advertising.
Rather than leaving the hoarding as a plain, functional barrier, the client chose to invest in a professionally designed and installed advertising hoarding that would remain in place for the full duration of the build—approximately 18 months.
This long exposure period is one of the key advantages of construction site advertising. Unlike short-term billboard rentals, site hoardings remain in position continuously, offering sustained visibility and brand reinforcement.
Scale and Impact Hoardings for Advertising Class 8.
The completed hoarding covers an impressive 218 square metres, equivalent to 12 standard 48-sheet billboards. From an advertising perspective, this creates a significant visual presence that cannot be ignored by passing traffic.
The total cost of producing and installing the hoarding was approximately £11,000, which works out at around £611 per month over the 18-month construction period. When compared to traditional outdoor advertising formats, this represents exceptional value.
For context, a single 48-sheet billboard in a prime location can often cost more per month than the entire hoarding installation—depending on the site, duration, and media owner. In this case, the client effectively secured a large-scale, long-term advertising platform at a fraction of the usual cost.
Why Hoardings for Advertising Make Commercial Sense
Construction site hoardings are already a requirement for health, safety, and security. By upgrading them into an advertising asset, businesses can unlock several benefits:
Continuous exposure over many months or even years
Large-format impact that dominates the local streetscape
Cost efficiency compared to traditional outdoor media
Local relevance, reaching people who live, work, or travel through the area
Improved site appearance, reducing complaints and improving community relations
In the case of the Guildford project, the hoarding not only promoted the development but also helped present the site as professional, organised, and considerate of its surroundings.
Planning and Legal Considerations
While hoardings for advertising offer clear advantages, their use is regulated under UK planning law. Advertising on construction site hoardings falls under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007, which came into force on 6 April 2007.
Specifically, this type of advertising is covered by Class 8 consent, which allows poster hoardings to be displayed on construction sites under certain conditions.
The intention behind Class 8 is to deliver an environmental benefit by encouraging sites to be screened attractively, with advertising providing a financial incentive to do so.
Understanding Class 8 Advertising Consent
Class 8 permits the display of advertising hoardings for up to three years while building or construction works are actively taking place. However, there are important limitations that must be observed.
Key Restrictions Include:
The advertisement must not be displayed more than three months before construction begins
The maximum area of any single advertisement is 38 square metres
The advertisement must not exceed 4.6 metres above ground level
The display period must not exceed three years
In addition, Class 8 consent is not available in certain protected areas, including:
National Parks
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Conservation Areas
The Broads
Areas of Special Control of Advertisements
Outside of these designated zones, Class 8 applies only to commercial, industrial, or business developments. It does not apply to residential-only developments.
Notification Requirements for Hoardings for Advertising
Even where Class 8 consent applies, the advertiser is required to formally notify the local planning authority.
This notification must be submitted at least 14 days before the advertisement is displayed and must include:
Written notice of intent to display the advertisement
A copy of the detailed planning permission for the development
Failure to follow this process can result in enforcement action, so it is essential that advertising hoardings are planned carefully and in compliance with regulations.
Illumination and Visibility
Advertisements displayed under Class 8 may be illuminated, provided the lighting is reasonably required to fulfil the purpose of the advertisement. This allows for discreet and well-designed lighting solutions that maintain visibility during darker hours without causing nuisance to nearby properties or road users.
For high-traffic routes like the Guildford site, controlled illumination can significantly extend the effectiveness of the hoarding by ensuring it remains visible throughout the day and evening.
Design Matters: More Than Just A Hoardings for Advertising
A well-designed construction site hoarding should do more than promote a brand—it should enhance the local environment. Poorly designed or cluttered hoardings can have the opposite effect, drawing complaints and negative attention.
At Project Print Management, we approach hoarding design with a balance of commercial impact and visual responsibility. Clear messaging, strong imagery, and appropriate use of colour help ensure the hoarding complements its surroundings rather than detracting from them.
In this project, the design was carefully considered to suit its prominent roadside location, delivering maximum impact without overwhelming the streetscape.
Long-Term Value and Community Perception
One often overlooked benefit of advertising hoardings is their impact on community relations. Construction projects can be disruptive, and visual improvements go a long way toward reducing frustration among local residents and businesses.
A smart, professionally produced hoarding signals that the developer is invested in presenting the site responsibly. This can reduce complaints, improve goodwill, and create a more positive perception of the project as a whole.
At Project Print Management, we specialise in the design, production, and installation of construction site hoardings and large-format advertising solutions. We manage the entire process, from initial consultation and design through to compliance guidance, printing, and installation.
Our experience ensures that hoardings for advertising are not only visually effective, but also legally compliant, durable, and suited to the specific demands of each site.
The Guildford project demonstrates how hoardings for advertising can transform a necessary construction requirement into a valuable marketing asset. With the right location, thoughtful design, and careful planning, site hoardings can deliver exceptional exposure at a highly competitive cost.
For developers and contractors working on long-term projects, advertising hoardings offer a rare opportunity to combine safety, aesthetics, and promotion in one solution. When done well, they benefit not only the advertiser, but also the wider community.
If you are considering using your construction site hoarding as an advertising platform, early planning and professional support are key. Project Print Management is here to help you make the most of every square metre.
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