A MALMESBURY “landmark” that is inspiring younger generations in Malmesbury, is under threat, despite over 750 people signing a petition to save it.

A member of the public complained to Wiltshire Council about the 24-foot high mural of koala bears on the side of K&S Childcare, stating it was an advert and would therefore require special planning permission.

Since the Standard first reported on the issue, over 750 people have signed a petition to save the mural, including people from as far afield as Australia.

The spray-painting was designed by Luke Hollingworth, a Malmesbury street artist who produces under the name Syd, to brighten up a previously grey wall on the side of a children’s nursery.

“The Malmesbury Koala is one of my proudest moments with a spray can,” said Luke, who runs the Stencil Shed.

“It was about five days of work for no fee, done as a fun thing, and that’s all part of my feeling towards it.

“[It’s] a little hug on the corner of the small town’s street, adorning the walls of a fantastic small nursery.

“Sadly Wiltshire Council have received a complaint and have judged the artwork to be one large advert and not art, though the painted mural has no business name, no phone number and no web address.

“Passers-by don’t know it’s on a nursery so it’s hardly an advert. It’s a piece of street art in keeping with the building.”

Luke set up an online petition to save the mural which has ignited a passionate response from the community.

“The reaction has been brilliant,” he said. “Some of the stories that have come out are amazing, such as children being inspired to go to art galleries because of it.

“There have also been stories about children who don’t mind being away from their parents as they’ll be at the nursery with the koala on. It’s blown my mind really; it’s been inspiring to read.

“I understand that street art of this scale may not be to everyone’s taste but this petition aims at gathering the positive comments of Malmesbury people or just street art fans in general.

“More positive comments can only help our cause in keeping the koala on this ancient town’s street.

“I’ve tried to contact the council and talk to them on five separate occasions, but I’ve not had a returned phone call.

“By saying the nursery owner needs to apply for advertising permission is like their forcing him to admit its advertising rather than artwork, which it is.”

Steve Paginton runs the nursery with his wife Karen and says he has received what he described as an “aggressive” email from the council, telling him he had to remove the mural or face prosecution.

“The council deem it an advertisement, but I have a job to understand that to be honest,” he said.

“We had a letter which we replied to, then we had an aggressive email from the enforcement officer. That’s when Luke decided to start the petition up.

“Though we don’t consider it an advert, the only thing we can do is apply for advertising permission on the building, which is almost like we’re agreeing, which we don’t.

“The children will be heartbroken if it has to be covered.

“The planning officer won’t return any phone calls and says it has to be covered now. Why should we be bullied into something, we’re not selling koalas here?

“We didn’t realise how passionate people were about it until we saw the petition.”

There has been an outpouring of support on the petition, with hundreds of local residents stating their support for the artwork, as was people from as far afield as Australia.

Mary Dodd said: “What I want to know is when was it decided that one single complaint was enough to make the council demand this mural be removed, when sometimes petitions of 50,000 can't change government policies?”

Matthew Mckelvey said: “You know it’s not an advertisement by sheer definition. It's a koala, so unless the artist is knocking black market marsupials out the back door how does it fall within the realms of advertising?”

Vicki Roberts commented on the petition saying: “I love this artwork, it brightens up a dreary corner of a beautiful town.

“It makes me smile every time I drive past. Keep the koala.”

Rob Needham said: “Jesus, really, am I having to sign a petition about keeping some great art on the side of a house that looks after lots of kiddies.

“Get real council and let it be; it's great for the town.”

Harry Whitehouse said: “How is this anything other than art? Whoever complained needs to take a look at themselves.”

Cara Lavan said: “I was delighted when this koala appeared on what was a drab, grey building.
“It brings a smile to the face of everyone I know when they pass it and has swiftly become a Malmesbury landmark.”

Mark Allen said: “I can't see how anybody would consider this to be an advert.

“Malmesbury is a town with almost no public art. This mural is a great addition to our local community story and takes a dull grey wall and transforms it into a local landmark.

“It makes me smile every time I walk past it.”

Charlie Hancock, 7, attended the nursery since he was a baby. He said: "When I'm feeling in a bad mood, the koalas brighten my day. They also inspire me to be more artistic."

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “We informed the owners that the mural constitutes an advertisement, and they have advised us they will apply for advertisement consent.

“No application has yet been submitted, however any application will be determined in accordance with the relevant policies including consultation where appropriate.”

To sign the petition search ‘Keep the Koala street art!’ on ipetitions.com and to view Syd's work visit thestencilshed.co.uk