Preston listed building mural to stay after planning error
- Published
The depiction of a woman cradling a lamb has proved popular on social media
A huge mural painted on a listed building without planning consent will be allowed to remain.
The Mother artwork appeared on the side of Grade II-listed Hogarths gin bar on Church Street, Preston, in July.
An oversight by the owners meant the mural of a woman cradling a lamb had not been approved.
However, planning officers concluded it did not harm the building and approved retrospective listed-building consent.
If the application had been refused, the image, by artist Shawn Sharpe, would have needed to be removed and the blank canvas reinstated, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
A report explaining why the 46ft (14m) by 8m mural had been granted permission states it "does not appear out of place" and actually adds visual interest to the previously bare side wall of the 1890s building, which was originally a Conservative working men's club.
'Mural culture'
In reaching their decision, planning officers had to consider whether the art accorded with legislation that requires local authorities to have "special regard" to preserving listed buildings.
They decided it was a "reversible act" and could always be removed without harm to the building.
Mr Sharpe described his artwork as "someone to watch over our city and her lambs" which incorporates elements of Preston's crest.
Preston Past and Present page on Facebook said an image of the mural attracted more than 3,000 likes with the group's administrators declaring it "the most popular post we've ever had".
Gary Roberts, of Blackpool-based Amber Taverns which owns and operates Hogarths, said there was "wide-ranging appreciation" for the mural and hoped to see more of them.
Mr Sharpe, who has recently completed another mural on side of the Northern Way pub on Friargate, said he had "exciting conversations" with the council, who were "happy to back the mural culture in Preston".
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