A brightly-coloured painting on the side of a listed building in Ashford has sparked a complaint.

The mural in St John’s Lane was created in December by three artists on behalf of The Centre for Creativity and Enterprise (CCE).

However, a complaint has now been made to Ashford Borough Council’s planning department, claiming that it is a “desecration of a grade ll listed building”.

But Stuart Barton, who works closely with the CCE in the Lower High Street, has hit back against the complaint.

He said: “Some such mean-spirited souls have been having a field day recently over a mural painted to mark the entrance to the Centre for Creativity and Enterprise in a dingy alley alongside the Spar shop in the lower High Street.

“It was reported to the council by at least one highly civic-minded soul that the establishing of a mural which covers up a section of “beautiful old brickwork” on a grade ll listed building should never be tolerated.

“What is wrong with some people? Someone painted a wall; so what? This is not the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem.

“It is not the site of ancient miracles or of the burial of long-forgotten Saxon kings. It’s just the side of an old building, for Pete’s sake.”

The mural was unveiled at the end of last year when the CCE, which is part of charitable organisation Joining Hands (JH), opened.

The centre, based above the Spar convenience store, offers advice, coaching and mentoring to creative businesses and displays work by artists, photographers and craftspeople.

Betsy Aidinyantz, from the CCE, said: “We are in discussion with the council.

“The three ladies who painted the mural are brilliant artists; very professional and experienced. They display work in this country and internationally.

“We understand it might not be to everyone’s taste, but it did brighten up the alleyway.

“We will do whatever is possible to make sure everyone is happy with what we do. We don’t want to upset anyone. We aim to produce visually pleasing art in our gallery and High Street.”

A council spokesman said: “We are in discussion with the owner about obtaining listed building consent if they wish.”