A VOLUNTARY code for policing To Let signs in Durham city centre does not go far enough, an MP has said.

Durham County Council wants landlords to sign up to a voluntary code of practice limiting the number of boards on each house and street, their shape, size and location and the time of year they are displayed.

Planning chiefs have unveiled a 12-month pilot scheme, pledging to review it next year.

But Roberta Blackman-Woods, Durham City’s MP, said the code’s limit of three boards per agent per street was too high and its three-month time limit on display boards, from December 1 to March 1, was too great.

One board per agent per street would be sufficient and boards should only be allowed after the Christmas break, she said.

Dr Blackman-Woods added: "I am very pleased to see the voluntary code will be operating again this year.

"I certainly welcome the other measures in the code, for example size and shape of boards, location and areas to be covered, and I would like to thank Durham County Council for their work in this area.

"I hope they will listen to the points being made about the shortcomings in the current scheme and think again."

City residents have long called on the council to effectively ban To Let signs under a so-called Article 7 direction, which would require landlords to apply for planning permission for each board.

Some student landlords also favour a binding agreement.

A previous voluntary scheme, under which some of the biggest landlords pledged to abandon To Let signs, collapsed after some, unaccredited by Durham Students’ Union, continued using them.

But Stuart Timmiss, the council’s head of planning, said a voluntary code gave the council an opportunity to work with agents and residents to monitor the problems and act together to solve them.

"We need everyone to work together to protect the unique heritage and character of the city and to address this important issue.

"We will keep a watchful eye and revisit this in a year to review its impact," he said.

The council’s announcement followed a public consultation exercise held earlier this year.