Mural of North Walsham's Lauren Hemp causes controversy
The artwork was put up on the side of a cafe earlier this month
It was meant to be a gesture of support for a Norfolk town’s sporting hero, but a mural of Lauren Hemp – a member of England Women's Euro 2022 winning squad – in North Walsham has led to a wall of opposition which shows no sign of crumbling.
The artwork was put up on the side of Cafe Kitale in St Nicholas Court earlier this month and has won praise from many, including Hemp’s parents, Julie and Kevin.
But other locals have questioned whether the mural – located in a conservation area – had the correct planning permission.
Following complaints, North Norfolk District Council launched an investigation and the issue was discussed at a recent planning meeting.
Nigel Lloyd, councillor for North Walsham West, said it had been an extremely divisive subject.
“The location has upset many many people in the town,” he said. “There’s been a lot of negative as well as positive responses, so I think it’s a balance thing.
“But quite frankly if we allow people just to do this wherever they feel like it would be absolute chaos.
“Some people are calling it graffiti, others are saying it’s a good representation and support Lauren Hemp – she is a local star for us and we are very proud of her, but perhaps there would have been better ways.”
An official told the meeting that a panel of councillors had decided the artwork did not constitute graffiti and did not meet the threshold to be considered “untidy”, at which point enforcement could be taken.
Councillors have yet to decide whether the cafe’s owner and mural organiser Robert Scammel will need to apply for retrospective planning permission.
The official said there were “some small issues” which still needed to be resolved with Mr Scammel and could not comment further while the investigation was ongoing.
He added: “We think that we’re progressing well, and I think there was an overview corporately that we were pleased to see a successful local person being celebrated in North Walsham in a good and positive way.”
Miss Hemp, 22, is a forward for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League.
She and her teammates in England’s national team shot to stardom after their Euros victory last summer.