Appeal lodged against Viking sculpture plans

The design sees King Orry holding a sword and gesturing towards Tynwald Hill

An appeal has been lodged against planning approval for a statue of an 11th Century Manx Viking ruler near Tynwald Hill.

Last month, a planning committee unanimously backed proposals for an 8ft (2.4m) illuminated sculpture of Godred Crovan, known as King Orry, in St John's.

But Manx National Heritage (MNH) has raised concerns over "the absence of a detailed archaeological assessment, the potential risk posed to archaeological remains, and the impact on the setting", which was a key historic environment.

President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly, who has championed the proposals submitted by the Department of Infrastructure, said he would respect the planning process.

Godred Crovan made three attempts to capture the Isle of Man and ultimately reigned for 16 years.

The plans would see the artwork sit on a plinth by the junction of Peel Road and Glen Mooar Road, facing east and gesturing towards Tynwald Hill.

It has been designed by artists Darren Jackson and Stephanie Quayle-Jackson, who also created a heron sculpture in Castletown.

'Considerable archaeological importance'

At a meeting in July, the decision was made to approve the privately-funded scheme despite a recommendation in a planning officer's report to refuse it.

Planners instead chose to add a clause to complete further surveys ahead of its construction following previous concerns raised by MNH about the archaeological impact of the structure.

Making the appeal within the permitted 21 day period, MNH said the committee had "disregarded" the professional opinion and recommendations of the organisation, which were "grounded in policies" set out in the island's land use plan.

They included a requirement for archaeological evaluations to be submitted before decisions affecting sites of significance were made.

The heritage organisation also said it believed the applicant had not demonstrated how it had "considered the impact of the development on the surrounding environment".

In a subsequent statement, MNH said the proposed sculpture was situated "within one of the Isle of Man's most significant historic environments".

The organisation said the area was of "considerable archaeological importance, with a high likelihood of below-ground archaeological remains".

MNH was "committed to safeguarding the Isle of Man's unique historic environment" and it would uphold its responsibilities to protect the island's heritage, it added.

The appeal will now be considered by a planning inspector.