King Orry statue plans given the go-ahead after appeal dismissed

Plans for sculpture adjacent to Tynwald Hill given green light

An appeal against plans to install a sculpture of the Viking warlord King Orry in St John's has been dismissed.

It means the statue has once again been given the green light, having already received planning approval.

Standing at just under three metres tall and 1.8 metres wide, the illuminated statue of Godred Croven with his arm outstretched is to be placed on a verge adjacent to Tynwald Hill in recognition of the Norse origins of the Isle of Man's parliament.

After the Planning Committee granted approval in July last year, Manx National Heritage lodged an appeal citing concerns over historical accuracy and the site's archaeology.

During the appeal, Historian Charles Guard, speaking in support, acknowledged there is no confirmed likeness of Godred Crovan, describing the design of the statue as an 'artistic interpretation' informed by historical advice.

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In a decision report, the chief officer for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Tim Cowsill, says the proposal is considered to 'positively contribute to the cultural and landscape setting of Tynwald Hill through the introduction of a modest, symbolically significant sculpture that enhances public appreciation of the Island's Norse heritage'.

He adds: "Its scale, siting and design are considered appropriate to the context."

DEFA Minister Clare Barber has accepted the recommendation that the appeal should be dismissed and the application approved, subject to conditions.

The conditions include that development of the statue should begin within the next four years, and not before an archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) has been submitted to and approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

If any historic or archaeological features not previously identified are found during the works, then those carrying out the development must leave them in-situ and report them to the Department within two working days.

The plans for the sculpture have been submitted under the name of Laurence Skelly, President of Tynwald.

The project will be privately funded with no access to taxpayer money.