AN ENFORCEMENT investigation has been opened into the controversial paintwork on the Nightingale Hotel in Shanklin.

The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed the planning authority has concluded that the hotel owners should have sought advertisement consent before carrying out the changes to the exterior.

Hotel owner Dino Joachim, of the Nightingale, said on Facebook that he feared the process would inevitably lead to removal of the artwork.

He stated: "The council is claiming that artwork on the hotel is advertisement, for which a permit would be needed. They have stated that it will be denied if we apply for it so the artwork needs to be removed.

"The other option is we go into their offices and come to a compromise regarding what is painted on OUR building.

"We feel Cllr Chris Quirk has a lot of other pressing matters he should be dealing with regarding improving our Island and shouldn't concern himself with the colour of our building."

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: "Following the receipt of complaints relating to paintwork at the Nightingale Hotel, the planning authority has opened an enforcement investigation.

"Officers have visited the premises, spoken to the owners and concluded that advertisement consent would have been required for the works that have been carried out.

"Because no consent has been gained for the works, officers are now in discussions with the owners of the hotel to remedy the breach in planning control.

"Because this is an ongoing investigation, the planning authority cannot comment on the merits of the works."

A poll on the County Press Facebook page showed 83 per cent of people were in favour of the artwork, with 17 per cent preferring the previous plain cream-coloured frontage. There were 2,100 votes cast.