A COUNCIL is to take legal action against a chemist's shop over a planning dispute.

Mills Chemist, in Galgate, Barnard Castle, has found itself facing the force of the law after putting up an illuminated sign outside the premises.

Teesdale District Council's development control committee was told that that establishments which provide medical supplies are allowed to display a degree of illuminated signage without planning permission.

But because there was already an existing illuminated sign on the premises, the new sign requires advertisement consent.

Councillors were told that the chemist is in the Barnard Castle conservation area and that the illuminated sign is unnecessary and has a detrimental effect on the appearance and character of the building.

Council officers said acceptance of the sign could set a precedent which would make similar proposals difficult to resist.

The council has been in contact with the owners of Mills Chemist, but they had not submitted a valid application for the sign.

As a result, the council is planning to instigate legal proceedings to get the sign removed.

The chemist's owners declined to comment.