Ormer statue planning permission renewed

News imageBBC The Roundtop Stores at Victoria Pier. It is an elevated round platform over looking a harbour. There is a blue round ballard and a blue fence. In the background is the town seafront and the travel trident hutBBC
The plans show the new statue would be placed on top of the Roundtop Stores at Victoria Pier

Planning permission for a 4m (13ft) tall statue of a culinary delicacy has been renewed.

The decision by Guernsey's Development and Planning Authority (DPA) means the company behind the project, The Guernsey Ormer LBG, has three years to complete the development of the ormer at St Peter Port Harbour.

In 2021, planning permission was initially granted for the giant ormer statue but it had since lapsed.

The statue will be placed at the end of Victoria Pier in Guernsey's town centre, which was one of the five sites available for public ideas under the seafront enhancement project.

News imageDLM Architects An ormer statue - It is a oval shaped shell with a silver metallic interior, it's standing straight up and is on a bronze stone. DLM Architects
Planning permission was initially granted for the statue in 2021

In its planning decision notice, the DPA said the width and depth of the statue would be proportionate to its height, at approximately 2.8m (9ft) by 1m (3ft) in plan view.

"The statue and base are to be cast in bronze, with the interior of the shell being smooth polished bronze with a reflective surface to replicate the 'mother of pearl' texture seen in ormer shells," it said.

Islanders in St Peter Port had a variety of views on the potential addition to the town's seafront.

Hannah said: "Not my favourite idea in the world but I get it - Guernsey ormers, would have preferred a donkey."

Chris said: "It would be amazing, something nice for the tourists to look at."

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