LOCALS have blasted their council for vowing to rip down a wall that has a £1m Banksy original painted on it.
The piece by the nameless graffiti artist first appeared on the derelict construction close to Dover’s ferry terminal in 2017.
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Then in 2019, the mural in Kent – which is claimed to be valued at £1m – was defaced by vandals who whitewashed over the entire thing.
Now, Dover District Council want to replace the EU flag-themed piece with a swathe of newbuild homes.
Locals have blasted the council’s choice – claiming it’s unsuitable to destroy such vital artwork.
Some even declare the work may be salvaged after it was vandalised.
Kevin Thorp, 50, advised Cialcan: “They might pull the constructing down and depart the wall with the Banksy on it.
“If they will carry the portray again that will be wonderful — it is feasible to restore it, it’s solely been whitewashed.
“The council initially deliberate on turning it into a skate park, or some kind of attraction.
“There could possibly be numerous retailers and bars and eating places. It could have been a cool characteristic as a part of that.
“However the council determined it was too costly… So now it will turn into non-public housing.
“We don’t want extra housing, we don’t want extra housing.
“Depart the Banksy the place it is, the work deserves it, he gave it to the city, it’s a reward.
“It annoys me that somebody whitewashed it within the first place.
“It was purposefully destroyed and it needs to be restored to its original kind.
“He gave it to us so we must always use it. Develop the positioning into an leisure space. We don’t want housing.
“Give it again to the individuals of Dover.”
One other resident, Mary Cowing, 78, added: “Knocking the constructing down is just not good in any respect.
“It’s a disgrace they whitewashed it within the first place as a result of Banksy and his work are very fashionable.
“It could possibly be an attraction and sadly there aren’t that many sights in Dover.
“The town is a monstrosity and the Banksy made it a little bit nicer.”
In the meantime, mum-of-two Sarah Cowell, 46, stated: “It was a beautiful work and Dover doesn’t want extra housing, I’d like to see it restored and became an attraction, that is a a lot better thought.”
Retired educating assistant, Anne Milner, 65, stated the constructing ought to come down as a result of its in a state of disrepair – however confused the Banksy needs to be saved.
She stated: “Knock the constructing down, however not the Banksy.
“The Banksy needs to be saved, however the constructing needs to be gone.”
Banksy is assumed to have painted the piece to critique Britain’s plans to depart the European Union.
A spokesperson for Dover District Council stated the constructing was painted earlier than they purchased the plots.
A spokesperson stated: “DDC has acquired the freehold for properties at 8, 10, 11 and 14 Bench Avenue in Dover as an vital step within the council’s bid to safe round £20m from the Authorities’s Levelling Up Fund for the Dover Beacon venture.
“The constructing on which the Banksy mural was painted is included on this land meeting.
“Nevertheless, we might spotlight that the mural itself was painted over in August 2019, lengthy earlier than DDC bought the constructing in September 2022, and DDC was not in any manner a part of portray over the mural.
“Additional particulars on plans for the realm can be developed following a choice on the funding bid.”
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