Mary Poppins mural saved by council U-turn

A Mary Poppins mural on a home in Earl's Court that was created as a "symbol of hope" will remain in place after a battle with the local council.

Patrick Spens commissioned the artwork following news of the earthquake in Morocco and the flood disaster in Libya. It was painted on a wall of a property in Earl's Court Square, west London, in October 2023.

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.

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."

Inspector Grahame J Kean said Kensington and Chelsea Council had since accepted that the mural complied with local and national planning rules.

He added: "In my opinion it is by no means dominant in either the roofscape or the street scene.

"It is not readily visible due to the very limited views of it that are available to the public.

"It is perceived as a small structure in its own right and against the expanse of wall on which it is painted."

He said it preserved the "visually harmonious streetscape" and did not harm the traditional features of the area.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]