Council launches investigation into 17th Century pub's giant St George's Cross in planning row

Jerry Kunkler, the pub's landlord and a Conservative councillor, found out this week the local authority were investigating a breach of planning legislation.

Mr Kunkler is the local authority's longest serving councillor and drew the cross on the pub in 2016 to celebrate the start of the European Championships in France.

He told GB News that the St George’s Cross had “been up there for eight or nine years” and “nothing’s been said until now”.

The Moonrakers Inn was described by Mr Kunkler as “a sportsbar and a family friendly pub” and an “English pub supporting English sport”.

Mr Kunkler has lived in the area his whole life, a “publican for 44 years” and a councillor since 1995.

As for the reason for the investigation, Mr Kunkler said there was “an allegation that somebody complained that it looked like it was supporting the National Front” but added there has “been nothing but support on the Facebook page here”.

Mr Kunkler said that he received an email earlier this week informing him that he would have to apply to keep the St George’s Cross on the pub.

“All of a sudden my own council decided that I probably need planning permission because I’m a listed Grade II Building,” said Mr Kunkler.

Mr Kunkler has been told that he has 14 days to fill the application or paint over the front of Moonrakers Inn.

He said: “I will be making an application for it, using architects just down the road for me.”

Mr Kunkler serves as a substitute for the planning committee, adding: “As a councillor I have to step aside and not influence anyone.”

When asked whether he plans on painting over the St George’s Cross, he said: “I’m not going to paint it over because we got the Six Nations coming up in January, February.”

Mr Kunkler said that Danny Kruger, the Reform MP, produced an advert in front of the pub, which may have resulted in complaints.

In a statement provided to GB News, Adrian Foster, Wiltshire's Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, said: “The Moonrakers at 57 High Street in Pewsey, is a Grade II listed building within the Pewsey Conservation Area.

“Listed Building Consent is sometimes required for external redecoration where there is a change of paint colour.

“The changes reported about this property will be investigated in accordance with the council’s Planning Enforcement Policy.”

A representative from Wiltshire Council told GB News they had no information about the intention behind the report.

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