Investigation into pub's St George's Cross mural

The Moonrakers pub in Wiltshire is being investigated

A council is investigating whether a St George's Cross on a 17th Century pub was painted without planning permission.

Jerry Kunkler, landlord of the Moonrakers Inn in the village of Pewsey, Wiltshire, said he found out this week that the county council was investigating a possible breach of planning legislation.

"I put the cross up in 2022 for the World Cup in the Middle East," Mr Kunkler told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, "Nothing's been said about it until now."

Wiltshire Council says the mural "will be investigated in accordance with the council's planning enforcement policy".

Mr Kunkler, Wiltshire's longest-serving councillor, continued: "This is a sports bar, and I support everything England. I'm leaving it up for the Six Nations and the World Cup."

Responding to a complaint from an anonymous local who reportedly said the pub, known locally as The Moonies, looked like "the headquarters of the National Front" Mr Kunkler added: "This is all about the controversy around the flags. This has nothing to do with Operation Raise the Flag."

The Conservative councillor, who was elected to Kennet District Council in 1995 and Wiltshire Council in 2009, said: "I'm looking at the rules. If the council says I need planning permission, I'll apply for it."

Manager Kim Dorland and landlord Jerry Kunkler decorated the Moonrakers, and themselves, for St George's Day

The Moonrakers Inn, an inspiration for the award-winning play Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth, is on Pewsey's high street, and Mr Kunkler has decorated the inside for occasions such as George's Day.

Adrian Foster, cabinet member for planning at Wiltshire Council, said: "The Moonrakers at 57 High Street in Pewsey is a Grade II-listed building within the Pewsey Conservation Area.

"Listed building consent is sometimes required for external redecoration where there is a change of paint colour.

"The changes reported about this property will be investigated in accordance with the council's planning enforcement policy."