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Toucan mural on The Boat pub in Durham saved on appeal
Overview
A hand-painted toucan mural at The Boat Club pub in Durham, which was previously refused retrospective planning permission by Durham County Council due to its size and stark colour, has been saved following a successful appeal. A government planning inspector concluded that the artwork did not harm the visual amenity of the conservation area, noting that its brightness was no more noticeable than the nearby Prince Bishops car park tower.
Key points
- Durham County Council had previously refused retrospective permission for the toucan mural, citing excessive size, scale, and stark colour.
- A government planning inspector successfully overturned the decision on appeal.
- The inspector noted that while the colour was bright, it was not more noticeable than the dominant turquoise tower of the nearby Prince Bishops car park.
- The pub's owner, Howard Eggleston, spent about £7,000 on the mural, which took a week to complete.
- The planning inspector concluded that the artwork enlivened the area and did not harm the visual amenity of the conservation area.