Dubbed “The Bench,” the new development will comprise cultural and community engagement facilities, as well as residential dwellings, according to the local authorities.
In a statement sent to CNN, a spokesperson for Dover City Council (DDC) said: “Prior to authorising the demolition, and having taken professional conservation advice, DDC determined that the Banksy could not be viably conserved without considerable costs to local taxpayers, even if it were technically possible.”
In a detailed explanation of the project online, the council said it had not been involved in painting or covering up the mural.
Nevertheless, the spokesman said that its contractor — DDS Demolition — is “attempting to see if the Banksy artwork can be conserved in any way.”
He said there was “no certainty” about this “given the fact that the artwork was painted over and the poor state of the render,” but added that the contractors had been “successful in removing stars and a section of the man and ladder intact.”
The demolition company is meeting all additional costs which will mean that if successful, the artwork would be considered its property.
In an email sent to CNN, a spokeswoman for the demolition firm said that retrieved pieces of the mural are currently “being assessed.”
She added: “DDS are making every effort to salvage the artwork for the community to enjoy.”
