TWO giant koala bears are at the centre of a planning row which has seen Wiltshire Council ridiculed and prompted more than 600 people to sign a petition in a matter of days.

The cuddly koalas have become a popular sight in Malmesbury after local artist Luke Hollingworth painted the striking 25 by 30ft mural of the hugging pair on the façade of a childcare nursery

But the owners Steve Paginton and Karen Phipps were stunned last week when they received a letter from a Wiltshire planning enforcement officer alleging that the artwork was an advertisement.

The couple said they were told to apply for retrospective planning permission for the spray-can landmark so that councillors could decide whether to allow the work to adorn three walls at K&S pre-school nursery in Pool Gastons Road.

Mr Paginton said: “We were actually told to take it down within two days because we didn’t have planning permission for it. I was told to paint over it.

"We really couldn’t believe it – and nor could anyone else.

“It’s not an advertisement. We’re not in the business of selling koalas here, and we don’t intend to open a zoo. We’re not promoting our business with it.

“It’s a fantastic mural which the children love and so do hundreds of other people judging by the support we have from the on-line petition, and all of the comments people have made.

“In fact, we’ve been amazed at just how popular it is. People are saying they go out of their way to see it, or to pass it by, and others are saying their children have been inspired to take up art because of it.”

Mr Paginton, who is also launching a paper petition, said he had tried to contact the enforcement officer on three occasions but had received no response. As he understood it, the council acted after just one person complained.

Mr Hollingworth, an experienced street artist widely known in the region as Syd, created the mural during the summer when the nursery was closed and the owners were away on holiday.

He said the council action had completely taken by him by surprise and felt it was a crazy situation. “I just don’t understand it. It’s absolutely not an advertisement. There’s no web address or anything on it.”

He was also staggered at the immediate and massively supporting response to the petition which stood at 654 signatures by lunchtime Monday, four days after going live.

“People have taken time to put their comments on the petition, often three or four paragraphs. They obviously feel very strongly about it,” he said.

One comment says: “Jesus, really, am I having to sign a petition about keeping some great art on the side of a house that looks after lots of kiddies? Get real council and let it be; it's great for the town.”

Another says: “It makes me smile every time I drive past. Keep the koala,” while another adds: “It would be very silly to get rid of it.”

On Tuesday a furious Mr Hollingworth installed a black banner across the mother koala’s eyes stating ‘advertising?’ in protest to the council’s stance.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We informed the owners that the mural constitutes an advertisement, and they have advised us they will apply for advertisement consent.

“No application has yet been submitted, however any application will be determined in accordance with the relevant policies including consultation where appropriate.”