Graffiti on historic building sparks council investigation

A graffiti mural has been spotted on the side of the Percy and Wagner almshouses in Lewes Road. The terrace is Grade-II listed and dates back to 1795. Brighton and Hove City Council said no permission to spray the building was given by the property owner – a charitable trust – or the council, as the body in charge of authorising changes to listed buildings. It is thought to have been painted on or about January 8, the council said. Cllr Julie Cattell, chairman of the council’s planning committee, said: “This appears to be a case of damage to property on a grand scale which we would expect the police to look into with the support of the Trust. "It would be good if the person who painted it repaid the charity for the costs this will incur them. "It’s a heartless thing to do to that lovely old terrace. We have established whoever did it had no permission from anyone despite claims to passers-by that they did.” Planning enforcement officers said altering or extending a listed building without council permission is a criminal offence. The council said it has spoken to the chairman of trustees, who is responsible for the almshouses, requesting the wall be repainted within 14 days. The council says the Trust is 'equally dismayed' at the image and have told officials the wall will be reinstated within two weeks. The Trust will have the option to consider civil action against the perpetrator, for costs and damage to the property, the council said. A council spokesman added: "Cleaning graffiti from private buildings is the responsibility of owners. However the council can intervene to clean obscene or racist graffiti from any surface."