North Somerset Council has ordered the removal of a Banksy-style anti-Brexit mural painted on the side of a grandmother's house.
Mrs Bridget Smith gave permission for her three grandchildren to spray an EU-themed mural they had designed on to the side of her house. The mural depicted a graffiti artist spraying the words 'Europe says please don't go'.
However after a local resident complained, the local council investigated and contacted Mrs Smith to say the mural was illegal, classifying it as an advertisement.
The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 makes it an offence to display any sign in contravention of the advertisement regulations. As the council believed the mural to be an advertisement, Mrs Smith would need planning permission for this and as she had none, the Council ordered her to remove it.
Mrs Smith was disappointed by the Council's decision. She commented: "I was astonished and thought it was ridiculous. I cannot understand how it can be advertising as I am not selling anything or trying to make money out of it. I and my whole family have personal ties with several European countries. I wanted to state a fact as I see it, in the hope it might make some people think in a new way.
"People have told me it was funny, and it has given them a lot of pleasure. This is a terrible waste of money and time when the council has problems with funding. [Nearby] Bristol is the home of Banksy, and it's wonderful seeing those artworks on display there but it's a different council here. I cannot help wondering whether there is a political element in the council's reaction", she added.
The Council gave Mrs Smith 21 days to remove the mural or face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500. Mrs Smith's grandchildren have since painted over the words on the mural so it simply shows the image of a graffitti artist, and as a result the council have extended the 21 day deadline.
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