Battle over Merc's UK star

A row has hit Britain's newest motoring 'theme' park - and it's all over Mercedes' famous three-pointed star

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Original proposal for massive rotating star was turned down

27th November 2006

Bosses wanted to mount a giant, rotating, illuminated version of the company logo, measuring 5.85 metres, on top of the main cone-shaped building at the historic site of Mercedes-Benz World in Brooklands, Surrey. However, Elmbridge District Council has refused planning permission, stating it would be "visually intrusive in an area of special advertising control" and "detract from the views of the ancient monument".


	Planning officers say the roof-top star wasn't included in the original application, but registered in November 2005 and rejected a month later

According to a Mercedes spokesman, the star was part of the original plans for the building, which also included a test track and yet-to-be-built hotel. The council signed these off in March 2004. The spokesman said: "Having the logo on our building was not an afterthought."

However, public records suggest otherwise. Planning officers say the roof-top star wasn't included in the original application, but registered in November 2005 and rejected a month later.

Mercedes has since slightly altered the proposal. In the new application, to go before the council next month, the star isn't illuminated and is shorter - by 75cm!