A BACKLASH has begun over plans to install ‘garish’ bank signs on Marlow High Street, with opponents angry the sanctity of the stretch is in danger.

Natwest Bank put forward plans to erect a bright purple, backlit frontage to re-brand the front of its High Street branch , sparking fury among conservation groups.

The Marlow Society says the move - branded under the bank’s "improving our presence" project - would destroy the appearance of Marlow’s Conservation Area.

In a letter to the MFP, Marlow Society Chairman Martin Blunkell said: "We are all able to locate the NatWest bank in Marlow with its current façade and that purple fascia and additional lighting will not be of any advantage to the town.

"Let us hope that the bank’s Edinburgh based staff will recognise that Marlow has an individual and highly prized High Street that really does not need a remote and blanket corporate decision to ‘improve its Presence’".

As well as a lit strip along the front of the building, original plans showed an internally illuminated ATM surround and projecting sign accompanying the new branding on the front of the early 20th century brick building.

Revised drawings have now been submitted after "conservation officer design advice and recommendation", but Mr Blunkell they still overstepped the mark with the proposed "garish facade".

Other residents have added their objections, including Geoff Wood, of Wethered Park, who said the bank’s head office had no idea what Marlovians want.

And Wycombe District Council leader Richard Scott has added his voice to the growing call for the improvement scheme to be scrapped.

WDC has a policy in its Local Plan which states that any shop front in a Conservation Area should "complement and not dominate their setting".

Other shops on the strip have been banned from incoporating internally lit signs on their shopfronts to maintain the character of the street.

Marlow Town Council also registered a "strong objection" to the scheme.

A re-brand has seen Natwest's old colours of dark blue and red switched to a much brighter purple design, which it intends to incorporate into High Street branches up and down the country.

And the bank says the upgrade is long overdue and is simply being brought into line with its new branding.

A NatWest spokesman said: "We're upgrading the sign outside the Marlow branch to bring it up-to-date with our NatWest branding. To put this into context, the sign was last changed in the 1990s - so nearly 25 years ago.

"We're working in line with the Council's planning permission procedure and are following their guidelines. We would also welcome a meeting with the Marlow Society to discuss their issues with the sign and how we can work together to move forward."

WDC is due to rule on the plans by December 10.