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Bid to extend mural wins approval

Anttoni NumminenLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageNorth Yorkshire Council A large mural painted on the end wall of a tall terraced building at a street corner. The mural depicts an aerial view of a coastal town, including streets, housing estates, green open spaces and a sweeping sandy bay that curves around the coastline. The artwork is painted in soft shades of green, beige, blue and brown, giving it the appearance of a detailed map or landscape illustration. Near the top of the wall, above the map, there is a circular emblem containing a stylised image of a sailing ship beside a tower or castle-like structure. The emblem is outlined in a pale golden colour and stands out against the light blue background of the upper wall. The building itself has a chimney stack at the top and forms the end of a row of dark-brick terraced houses that extend into the background on the right. Adjacent to the mural is a plain grey wall, which is much lower than the painted building.North Yorkshire Council
The mural on the Grade II listed building in Scarborough will be extended

Plans to extend a prominent outdoor mural on a Grade II listed building in a North Yorkshire town centre have been approved by councillors.

They voted in favour of the application by North Yorkshire Council for the artwork at 3 West Square in Scarborough.

The council said the aim was to enhance the town centre by fostering a "stronger sense of civic pride", but some residents argued the design lacked "sufficient artistic quality".

However, during last week's meeting, councillors were reminded that the application was for listed building consent and not for judgment on the design.

The mural faces Westborough and will be extended towards the gable-end elevation, according to the Local Democracy Service Reporting Service.

It is currently 26ft (8m) wide and 36ft (11m) high, while the extension will be 21ft (6.5m) wide and about 13ft (4m) high.

News imageNorth Yorkshire Council A large mural painted on the side wall of a building in an urban street setting. The wall is painted a pale blue colour and features a detailed aerial-style map or landscape illustration across the lower half. The map appears to depict a coastal town, with a curved shoreline, sandy beaches, streets, buildings and large areas of green countryside. The painting extends beyond the edge of the wall on to a lower adjoining structure, creating a long panoramic view of the landscape.North Yorkshire Council
The proposed extension of the mural

Speaking at the meeting, resident Susan Millar objected to the plans, arguing that the mural made "poor use of the available wall space".

"The entire project should be reconsidered and opened to tender for alternative artistic proposals," she said.

"Public art should benefit both residents and visitors, foster civic pride and contribute positively to the appearance of a prominent gateway location opposite the railway station."

Members of the Scarborough and Whitby area planning committee debated the artistic merits of the mural, with several members stating that it would be "a positive addition that enhanced the appearance of West Square".

However, council planners told the committee it was not "acting as an arbiter of artistic merit", and any wider concerns regarding the process through which the mural was commissioned were "beyond the remit of the committee".

Councillors voted to approve the application, with five votes in favour and one against.

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