Approval granted for a mural on a historic structure, as council appreciates its remarkably fine artistic attributes.
Article: Controversial Mural on a Listed Building in Cheltenham
A mural painted on the side of a listed building in Cheltenham has sparked controversy, with the Cheltenham Civic Society expressing concern over the lack of respect for the planning process. The mural, which features a woman on a horse and honors Cheltenham's horse racing heritage, was created for the Cheltenham Paint Festival with the support of local businesses.
Despite the concerns, Cheltenham Borough Council approved listed building consent for the mural, calling it a "high-quality art installation." Mr. Davies, the business owner who commissioned the mural, submitted a retrospective planning application for the work. If the application is rejected, he stated that they will be forced to paint the mural back to white.
Cllr Rowena Hay, the council's cabinet member for culture, tourism, and sport, claimed the approval shows the council's support for the paint festival. She stated that public art can connect people to places and communities, and the social media response to the mural on The Promenade indicates that the paint festival has connected the town.
However, the festival organizers did not apply for planning permission or listed building consent for the mural. This has led to criticism from the Cheltenham Civic Society, who argue that the council had given retrospective planning permission for Banksy's work and the stencil on the Chelsea Brasserie but not for this mural.
Mr. Davies argued that the council had given retrospective planning permission for the mural, citing the approval of "high-quality art." He stated that the mural was aimed at preventing graffiti and that the paint festival was a positive contribution to the town.
The application received 45 comments supporting it, according to Cllr Rowena Hay. However, the exact date of the decision and the name of the listed building in question remain unknown. For a precise answer, please provide more details about the specific building and the date of the decision.
