Why so ‘heavy-handed’?
THE owner of a fish and chip shop at the centre of a row over graffiti art has received a ‘heavy-handed’ letter from Kirklees Council that includes he finds the council’s stance the standard police caution “overly aggressive, extraordinary read to people under arrest. and ridiculous”. He and
The letter threatens girlfriend Morgan Braithwaite Mathew Tate and The Bridge have now launched an online Fisheries with prosecution for petition to keep the artwork – illegal advertising, a £2,500 a smiling fish nicknamed fine plus £250 PER DAY for ‘Boris’ giving a thumbs-up – each day that the art remains and are appealing for support. in place. Mathew commissioned the
The penultimate paragraph art after vandals “tagged” his of the letter, sent by a building, on Britannia Road, planning enforcement officer, Slaithwaite, with graffiti. He’d says: “You do not have to say previously paid out £400 to repaint anything, but it may harm the walls. He says he’s your defence if you do not been overwhelmed by mention when questioned support but admits the something which you later council’s stance has him rely on in court. Anything you worried. do say may be given in “All my customers are evidence.” saying the council’s response
A shocked Mr Tate, 36, says is disgusting. People are being retrospective planning per- Compo’s, the previous name mission in a bid to keep the of the business. art, even though the council Mathew has now called for has warned that his shop is in intervention from Colne a conservation area and that it Valley Tory MP Jason would not be approved. McCartney. Colne Valley Tory
However, he says that a councillor Donna Bellamy, successful prosecution and its who is on the council’s associated draconian fines planning committee, said: “I and “substantial costs” would advised Mr Tate he can appeal bankrupt him. the enforcement notice via
“The council is using the the Planning Inspectorate, ‘illegal advertising’ threat as a which is a government body. I way of removing it, but they have provided him with know it’s not actually advertising. details of the website.” They do not approve of Meanwhile, support is 21st century art. They are growing for Boris the graffiti stuck back in the day. It’s very fish via an online petition at heavy-handed. I feel like I’m change.org being persecuted.” Sign the petition at www.
The council’s letter was change.org/p/kirklees-council-modern-art-of-vandalism? even addressed to Little