Plan to protect public artworks in Bristol proposed

Banksy's gorilla in a pink mask painting was mistakenly whitewashed in Eastville

A Bristol councillor is calling for a register to be created to protect public works of art in the city.

It comes after one of street artist Banksy's earliest works, in Eastville, was whitewashed by mistake recently.

Lib Dem Councillor Steve Comer said: "Public art has become an important part of our lives in Bristol and, where possible, should be protected."

The proposed register would mean planning permission would be required to alter street artworks.

Mr Comer has asked Bristol's Neighbourhood Partnerships to put together a list of all the known valuable public artworks around the city.

He added: "The idea of the register is that people could consult it before they did work on a building, and have a look and see if it was of any value before they get the emulsion out."

Lib Dem Executive Member for Neighbourhoods at Bristol City Council, Guy Poultney, said: "In principle this sounds like an excellent idea. I hope to bring forward proposals later in the year."