"The mural shows Mary Poppins holding an umbrella and a carpet bag, flying towards a real-life chimney in the outline of a red heart. Planning Committee chair James Husband said previously that it was "quite clear" the painting had breached planning controls, while committee member Sam Mackover said it was "unfortunate that things have happened like this" but that enforcement action was necessary."
"Spens appealed against the enforcement notice, telling the council that a planning application he submitted had not been validated because he could not confirm the ownership of the rooftop wall. He said he had always treated the wall as his own and likened the mural to artwork visible through someone's window. He said: "It's just a painting of Mary Poppins, a picture of hope. I'm not trying to cause offence, and I apologise if I have caused any trouble.""
"The mural will remain in place after a battle with the local council. But in December 2024, Kensington and Chelsea Council ordered Spens to remove the mural, saying it had caused "demonstrable harm" to the local conservation area. However, the council has now reversed its decision after a planning inspector ruled that the artwork was not "inharmonious" with its surroundings."
A Mary Poppins mural on a rooftop wall in Earl's Court depicts the character with an umbrella and carpet bag flying toward a chimney outlined by a red heart. Kensington and Chelsea Council ordered its removal in December 2024, saying it caused demonstrable harm to the conservation area. The artist, Spens, appealed, explaining a planning application was not validated because he could not confirm wall ownership and saying he treated the wall as his own and intended the work as a picture of hope. Inspector Grahame J Kean found the mural complied with planning rules, was not dominant or readily visible, and preserved the visually harmonious streetscape, prompting the council to reverse the enforcement notice.
Read at www.bbc.com
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