Statue representing 'Viking legacy' approved

The statue will be near Tynwald Hill, where the annual open-air sitting of the parliament takes place

Proposals to build a statue of an 11th Century Manx Viking ruler have been approved by the planning committee.

The illuminated sculpture of Godred Crovan, known as King Orry, is set to be 8ft (2.4m) in height, with a hand gesturing towards Tynwald Hill in St John's.

Planners added a clause to complete further surveys ahead of its construction after previous concerns about the archaeological impact of the structure.

Welcoming the decision, President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly said it was "about recognising, educating, and celebrating" the Isle of Man's Viking history and heritage.

The proposals for the artwork were approved despite a recommendation from the planning officer to refuse the application, which was submitted by the Department of Infrastructure.

Skelly said King Orry was "everywhere on this island" and ingrained in Manx culture.

"Godred Croven is listed in the Chronicles of Mann, our most important written document of the history of the Isle of Man," he added.

The open-air sitting of Tynwald takes place in July each year

The structure, which will be put in place facing east near the junction of Peel Road and Glen Mooar Road, will be illuminated.

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

Planners were told the location had been chosen to be easily visible but not to intrude on the hill, national cenotaph or the Royal Chapel of St John's.

Historian Charles Guard said the statue next to the hill where the annual open-air sitting of Tynwald takes place would mean "you can see immediately this is our Viking heritage".

He drew the parallel with Parliament Square next to the Houses of Parliament in London, where there are 12 statues.

"They are all celebrating the development of democracy in the adjacent island, our parliament is older and it's more distinguished," he said.

"We need a Viking there to tell us who started it all, and that's the man who was involved in it.

"It's a metaphor and he is pointing to Tynwald Hill, he's saying this is your legacy from the Vikings."

Objectors have 21 days to appeal the planning decision.