Some saw it has a blot on the landscape but Mercedes-Benz has finally won its battle for a giant rotating logo at the company's recently opened centre in Weybridge.

After a heated debate at Elmbridge's full council meeting on Wednesday, it voted 31 to 25 in favour of allowing the 17ft logo, a three-pointed circled star, on top of the recently-opened Mercedes World at Brooklands.

Councillor John Sheldon paraphrased the words of Stirling Moss. He said: "To not allow this sign as the finishing touch on this great building is profoundly ungrateful to an organisation which has helped us and it would be an insult to them to deny this sign. I am delighted that common sense has prevailed."

But Councillor John Bartlett, who was against the sign, said Brooklands was in the green belt conservation area and the race-track was an ancient monument.

He said: "I am disappointed with the decision, as I think the sign will detract from the quality of the architecture. One issue was whether we should be content with an advert popularising a brand above the tree-line in the middle of the green belt and the other more serious one is whether Mercedes should be part of Brooklands or Brooklands part of Mercedes, which is what is implied."

Councillor Tim Crowther said the green belt debate was already redundant, by allowing the building in the first place.

He said: "All this talk about the green belt is nonsense and adding this sign will make no difference.

"The building itself had a big impact on the green belt when we agreed to it in 2003."

Other councillors thought the sign reflected the image of the world-famous Mercedes product and would add to the site's heritage.

And Councillor Ian Donaldson pointed out that when the race-track was active it had adverts all over it.

He said: "Green belt doesn't mean farmyards or hedgerows. The definition is a space between towns.

"This is an exciting building and the star sign is minute in comparison with the area's scale.

"There is no neat line of trees and the historical monument is a motor-racing circuit to which Mercedes contributed as they have to the recently-opened community park.

"The whole of Brooklands has been about excellence in engineering and the Mercedes icon reflects this."

A Mercedes spokesman said: "Mercedes-Benz is pleased it has been granted planning permission to install the three-pointed star logo at Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands.

"The symbol adds the finishing touch to the impressive brand experience centre building."

  • What do you think? Have your say using the comment feature below or use our forum.