Cheltenham town centre shop mural is here to stay as permission granted
The artwork is a nod to the town’s horse racing heritage
The prominent newly painted mural on the side of The Famous on The Prom shop in Cheltenham is here to stay as planning permission has now been granted.
The mural, which depicts a woman and a horse, was painted on the County Court Road side of the shop in a bid to stop the wall being tagged with graffiti.
The artwork, which is a nod to the town’s horse racing heritage, was done in time for Cheltenham Paint Festival last month.
Cheltenham Civic Society raised concerns that the mural, which is on a grade II listed building in the town’s conservation area, was done without planning permission.
However, Cheltenham Borough Council has now approved the proposals in the interests of preserving the significance of the listed building and the character and appearance of the central conservation area.
The artwork should be retained in good condition and if it changes a new planning application would be required.
Keith Graham, who owns The Famous on The Prom, said he was pleased planning permission had been granted.
He previously said he had received nothing but positive feedback from the public about the mural which had been described as “wonderful”.
“We followed the procedure,” he said.
“We respect the fact we needed planning permission. If Cheltenham Borough Council had acted in a timely fashion we would have had it in time for the paint festival.
“As it is, they have now given it as retrospective planning permission and we are very pleased it has been passed. There are conditions you have to keep it in good order.
“I am pleased the planners thought it enhanced the building and the area.”