From the North Devon Journal today:
ARTIST Damien Hirst’s controversial statue Verity has been granted planning permission.
Councillors today agreed by 10 votes to two that the 60ft bronze figure of a pregnant woman could be positioned on Ilfracombe pier.
The decision was made by North Devon Council’s planning committee.
It follows two months of public discussion about the statue, which has divided opinion locally.
The proposal is that statue will be loaned to the council for a 20 year period with a view for this to be extended.
Councillors will meet tomorrow to decide whether to accept the offer now that planning consent has been granted.
North Devon Council received almost 300 letters about the planning application.
The statue is of a pregnant, naked woman wielding a sword with half of her belly exposed to show the foetus inside.
The most recent concern raised surrounds security issues that may come with the statue as police have fears that Verity will attract vandalism and publicity seekers.
However one of two pre-meeting reports stated there has been considerable liaison with local police to ensure that security concerns have been covered and there is also a proposal for CCTV to be permanently installed nearby.
It was recommended in one of the pre-meeting reports that the council give approval to the statue, stating it presents a ‘strong individual character that reaches out to the public.’
It is hoped that the statue, designed by one of the world’s most talked about artists, will bring benefits for the area’s economy in terms of increased visitor numbers leading to a boost in tourism.
Plans currently stand for the statue to be transported into Ilfracombe overnight on October 3/4 and raised into position by October 17/18.
ARTIST Damien Hirst’s controversial statue Verity has been granted planning permission.
Councillors today agreed by 10 votes to two that the 60ft bronze figure of a pregnant woman could be positioned on Ilfracombe pier.
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An artist's impression of Damien Hirst's proposed Verity statue for Ilfracombe
It follows two months of public discussion about the statue, which has divided opinion locally.
The proposal is that statue will be loaned to the council for a 20 year period with a view for this to be extended.
Councillors will meet tomorrow to decide whether to accept the offer now that planning consent has been granted.
North Devon Council received almost 300 letters about the planning application.
The statue is of a pregnant, naked woman wielding a sword with half of her belly exposed to show the foetus inside.
The most recent concern raised surrounds security issues that may come with the statue as police have fears that Verity will attract vandalism and publicity seekers.
However one of two pre-meeting reports stated there has been considerable liaison with local police to ensure that security concerns have been covered and there is also a proposal for CCTV to be permanently installed nearby.
It was recommended in one of the pre-meeting reports that the council give approval to the statue, stating it presents a ‘strong individual character that reaches out to the public.’
It is hoped that the statue, designed by one of the world’s most talked about artists, will bring benefits for the area’s economy in terms of increased visitor numbers leading to a boost in tourism.
Plans currently stand for the statue to be transported into Ilfracombe overnight on October 3/4 and raised into position by October 17/18.
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