A PIER owner has been accused of defacing buildings and his use of gold paint on the structure was compared to criminal damage.

Sheikh Abid Gulzar was celebrating on Tuesday evening after Eastbourne Borough Council's planning committee approved his retrospective planning application.

The 70-year-old businessman had painted 49 lions and 13 domes on the Grade II* pier gold without planning permission.

Councillors said the public interest outweighed any harm to the listed building - but told Mr Gulzar he must not paint any more of the pier gold without first applying for planning consent.

Rebecca Madell - who spoke at the meeting as Eastbourne Borough Council’s Heritage champion and as a representative from the Meads Community Association - lambasted Mr Gulzar for his behaviour.

But the Mayor of Eastbourne, councillor Pat Hearn, then spoke to say she was in favour of the plans and offered Mr Gulzar her full support in his bid to make the pier more attractive.

Ms Madell told the committee: "Having been chair of this planning committee for several years, I have considerable experience of the applicant, and I must say that he has a long history of defacing our buildings and then, only when forced to, does he seek retrospective permission.

She added: "Some people say the pier now looks more fun. It would be fun to paint Buckingham Palace in fluorescent pink. It would be fun to paint a beard and moustache on the Mona Lisa. It might be momentarily fun, but it is also criminal damage.

"If we are not prepared to protect our Grade II * Listed pier from one man's obsession with painting everything gold, then I ask you, where will this stop? "

Eastbourne's Mayor Pat Hearn Hearn said everyone is talking about Eastbourne Pier.

She said: "People have been coming to me and I estimate that eight out of 10 people locally say they like it.

"It has been burnt down twice and change isn't always bad It is a question of opinion and the majority view is that people like it.

"We like bright colours. Let's give it a try. He is keen to make it attractive."

Mr Gulzar said he was appalled at the personal attack on him from Ms Madell.

He told the meeting that her comments had upset him but he was a workaholic and worked seven days a week.

He said that nobody had been looking after the pier following the 2014 fire that destroyed large parts of the building.

He said: "I bought the pier last October and i absolutely love Eastbourne Pier dearly. Surely people can see that for themselves. It has become a way of life for me and I love it. Long may that continue."