A councillor wants to save Dover’s Banksy artwork through a compulsory purchase of its building.

Cllr Nathaniel Richards has put up an online petition urging Dover District Council to take the action.

The owners, the Godden family in Folkestone, have said that they plan to sell the artwork for charity, having it specially removed before the building is demolished as part of the Western Docks Revival Project.

Cllr Richards told the Mercury: “This issue was originally raised in a council scrutiny committee as far back as May and I don’t want it buried under the paperwork.

“We are lucky to be one of the few places in the world to have the gift of a Banksy piece. It is the first time Dover has had anything in terms of culture for a long time.

“Why not even incorporate the building itself into a Banksy-related gallery?

“Margate has the Turner Contemporary and it has done wonders for that town. Why don’t we also have a cultural tourism landmark?”

Cllr Richards’ petition had 300 supporters by last Thursday.

It says: “I propose that the council intervene and issue a compulsory purchase order to rescue this unique asset that Dover and very few places on the entire globe can boast.”

It also says that the council should look at turning the building into an art gallery to help encourage more tourism.

He believes that this is especially needed with major developments such as the St James’ retail and leisure project nearby.

The £53 million development is scheduled to open by the end of this year.

The Brexit-themed artwork suddenly appeared on the flank wall of the building on May 7. It shows a workman on a ladder chipping away at one of the 12 stars of the European Union flag.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke also last month launched a campaign to save the mural and keep it in Dover.

Mr Elphicke said: “It’s great to see Nathaniel backing our campaign to save the Banksy.

But he warned: “If DDC were to issue a CPO it would be very expensive and the burden would fall on the taxpayer.

“The best way forward on this is to get the building listed to protect it for the people of Dover and generations to come. Historic England are currently considering the case and I’ve also raised the issue with the arts minister John Glen who will make the final decision.”

Cllr Richards is a district member for the Buckland ward and also boss of the social supermarket Nifties in Dover High Street.

It is DDC that would have the power to impose a CPO but Cllr Richards has also copied the petition in to Dover Town Council to get its supports.

The Godden family has been contacted for a comment and a spokesman for DDC said:

“We welcome petitions, which are treated in accordance with our petitions scheme.

“The building that the Banksy is on is within the Dover Waterfront area that is currently the subject of a master planning process.

“The masterplan is not yet available, but will be published in due course.”

The petitions scheme can be viewed online via moderngov.dover.gov.uk/mgePetitionListDisplay.aspx.

n The petition itself is on the web page change.org/p/dover-district-council-save-dover-s-banksy-and-the-old-arcade-to-it-turn-into-an-art-gallery.