Published on 6th February 2015

Heras fencing has been installed by council officers this afternoon (Friday 6 February) around part of the flank wall of 159 Fairview Road, Cheltenham, which includes the Banksy.

It has been put up to protect passers-by from the potential danger of falling render. Previously the scaffolding, which was removed a few days ago was providing this protection. 

Notices have been put up on the fencing to inform residents and to ask people to stay out of this area; and the owner of the building and the highways authority have been notified.

Contact: Laura Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]

Notes:
More information about the planning application for 159 Fairview Road can be seen on public access (www.cheltenham.gov.uk/publicaccess), using reference 14/01586/LBC.

The Banksy application for listed building consent will be considered by planning committee on 19 February. The agenda for the meeting will be published on the council's website next Wednesday (11 February); sometimes the reports go live a little later but it is usually the same day.

Cheltenham Borough Council has been working pragmatically and within its statutory powers with two parties, the building owner and a local resident who has made a Listed Building Consent (LBC) application, to regularise the mural and satellite dish and to seek a resolution to the current position.

The application for LBC has been under consideration since September 2014 and is being progressed. It should be noted that delay has occurred with the application as it was considered to have fundamental detail missing from the original submission. As such, the further information was requested from the applicant and has since been partly provided.

The planning agent responsible for the application has been contacted on a number of occasions by council officers, the latest communication being over the last 2 weeks, and have been asked to establish their client’s position.

The flank wall of 159 Fairview Road is within private ownership. The council's main priority is to secure the safety and preservation of the Listed Building. However, the council recognises the wider value of the mural and as such has been trying to work with both the applicant and the building owner to achieve an appropriate resolution to all live matters.

To date, the council has used the powers available to it in a pragmatic manner to bring the situation to the best conclusion possible for Cheltenham even though the situation tests the usual statutory processes.
Most recent comment from Andrew North, chief executive of Cheltenham Borough Council: “Council officers have been working with the owner of the building and a local resident who has made a listed building consent application to regularise the unusual situation with the Banksy and associated satellite dish.
“We intend to continue working with both parties to seek the best resolution possible for Cheltenham, but it must be appreciated that the council has to act within the legal powers available to it.”