Horse mural painted without planning permission to stay

The shop's owner said he had received positive feedback on the mural

A newly-painted mural on the side of a shop in Cheltenham is to stay after retrospective planning permission was granted.

Shop owners of The Famous on The Prom said the mural was painted on the County Court Road side of the business to prevent the wall being tagged with graffiti.

Cheltenham Civic Society raised concerns the mural, which is on a Grade II listed building, was painted without planning permission.

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 council added the artwork should be kept in a good condition and a new planning application would be required if it were to change, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The artwork, which depicts a horse and is a nod to the town's horse racing heritage, was finished in time for Cheltenham Paint Festival last month.

Keith Graham, owner of The Famous on The Prom, said he was "very pleased" planning permission had been granted.

He said he had received nothing but positive feedback from the public about the mural.