MYTON

00031470A

Land To The East Of Kingston Square, Kingston Upon Hull, ,

Installation of silicone bronze statue of David Whitfield on stone clad concrete plinth (overall height 2.25m) (resubmission).

Mr William Wilkins

SUMMARY

- This application was deferred for a site visit at last month's committee meeting. - Installation of statue of David Whitfield (re-submission) - Objection received. - Recommended for conditional approval.

SITE

The application site is located on public open space within the city centre, and the Georgian New Town Conservation Area.

The site lies at the centre of a circular pattern of brick paving located on the fringe of the public highway and adopted landscaped public space.

To the north-east across the adjacent carriageway stands the Grade II Listed Hull New Theatre, whilst to south-west three broad curved steps lead down between fixed benches into the public space.

Across the public highway of Jarratt Street to the south-east stand the Grade II converted Maltings buildings in office use, and a Grade II listed terrace of Georgian three-storey with basement houses. To the north-west stands a terrace of Victorian properties along St John Street.

PROPOSAL

Installation of silicone bronze statue of David Whitfield on stone clad concrete plinth (overall height 2.25m: 7ft 4ins). (re-submission). The details of this application are similar to that previously submitted, with the exception of photographic material now supplied showing the statue now completed and held in storage. The previous application was accompanied by impressions only.

PLANNING HISTORY

00031470 - Installation of silicone bronze statue of David Whitfield on stone clad concrete plinth (overall height 2.25m). Refused in February 2011 for the following reasons:-

01) The statue, by virtue of its proposed siting and detailing, would not be an integral part of its setting, adding clutter to the street scene in Kingston Square, would be detrimental to the setting of nearby Listed Buildings, and would neither preserve nor enhance the character or appearance of the Georgian New Town Conservation Area, contrary to policies BE1, BE15, BE19 and BE28 of the Local Plan.

02) The statue in its position in the footway at the top of the stairs would form an obstruction to pedestrian flows, to the detriment of the safety of pedestrians and in particular partially sighted persons, contrary to policies BE1, BE10, BE15 and M29 of the Local Plan.

REPRESENTATIONS

CAAC – no objection. More details of plinth required and higher plinth preferred.

Highways Development Control – No objection. Condition recommended relating to installation and maintenance programme.

Access Officer - location at the top of steps, particularly steps without the tactiles, not ideal. The plinth needs to be high and wide enough to avoid visually impaired people walking into the outstretched arm, because it will not be detected by cane or by dog.

Graham Ibbeson Sculpture Ltd (sculptor of statue) - Plinth needs to be higher than described in submission, 1 metre rather than 300mm. This will help deter vandalism experienced elsewhere where plinth height has been too low, and will also address any health and safety concerns regarding the statue's protruding elements. - A circular plinth would be more aesthetically pleasing and appropriate to the subject. - The statue will be virtually maintenance free, requiring a gentle wash with soap and water to remove bird deposits and a biennial clear re-wax.

Two letters from the David Whitfield Commemorative Society:

• The first objecting to the statue on the basis of its quality and likeness • The second withdrawing the initial objection on inspection of the submitted photographs of the completed statue

One letter from an interested third party supporting the application for the following reasons:

• Will add to the City’s tourism offer • Fitting tribute to highly successful Hull-born entertainer and ambassador for the City

One letter from an interested third party objecting on the following grounds:

• Would obstruct views from the Square towards the listed New Theatre • Would fail to preserve or enhance the character of the conservation area • Kingston Square was designed to be devoid of statuary

APPLICANTS CASE

David Whitfield the singer was born in the city in 1926, who rose to household name status as one of the top artists of the 1950’s.

David lived all of his life in Hull and the surrounding area.

The proposed location would be very appropriate given the fact that the subject was a very successful and popular native Hull-born entertainer, and the statue will enhance the character and appearance of Kingston Square, would not require the removal of any important features or vegetation and would still allow adequate circulation space around the statue for the movement of people.

PLANNING FRAMEWORK

Regional Spatial Strategy

ENV9 - safeguard and enhance the historic environment

Joint Structure Plan (adopted July 2005)

ENV6 - Protect and enhance the setting, character or appearance of strategic built and historic assets.

Local Plan -

G2 - Allow development subject to location and detailed considerations being acceptable.

BE1 - Seek high standards of design.

BE10 - Access for the impaired.

BE15 - Public art allowed if: (i) integral part of building or setting (ii) enhances development or image of city (iii) implemented in consultation with public.

BE19 - Allow C.A. development if it preserves or enhances.

BE28 - Avoid adverse effects on setting of Listed Building.

M9 - (a) Encourage facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. (b) Network of routes will be developed. (c) Protect existing cycletracks and footpaths.

CC1 - Development within City Centre allowed subject to details.

CC8 - Development respecting character/identity of City Centre supported.

CC1 - Development within City Centre allowed subject to details.

SPG - Public Art

Other Material Coonsiderations:-

Hull Core Strategy Publication Version - June 2011

None of direct relevance

Draft National Planning Policy Framework

None of direct relevance

PLANNING APPRAISAL

Design and conservation

Policy BE15 of the Local Plan is supportive in principle of the provision of public art in publicly visible locations subject to such works improving enhancing the development and image of the city.

The statue has been produced by Graham Ibbeson, the sculptor who has created bronze sculptures in towns and cities across Britain, (including Eric Morecambe (Morecambe), (), Laurel and Hardy (Ulverston), (), Les Dawson (Lytham St Anne’s) and Fred Trueman (Skipton)).

This re-submitted application is accompanied by photographs of the finished work, and it is considered that the form and appearance of the statue are acceptable in terms of their design and materials.

The location of the statue, its subject matter, and design, would enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area, and would be appropriate to and would enhance the setting of the listed buildings. It would provide a focal point of interest in the square.

A key relationship is that with the adjacent Kingston Square, and it is considered that given the siting and scale of the statue, the qualities of the formal open space will not be compromised.

As submitted, the application proposes a square, stone clad plinth, one metre square and 450mm high. It is considered that the plinth would benefit from being higher in height, (so as to afford greater clearance from the ground for public safety and disincentive to vandalism purposes) and circular (so as to reflect the pattern in the footpath). Alternative materials for the plinth would be preferable in order to sit more comfortably with the mix of materials evident in the surrounding context.

A letter of objection has been received raising issues of conservation area character and obstruction of views. It is not considered that the statue in its proposed scale, detail and location would have a detrimental impact and views of or the settings of nearby listed structures, nor would it fail to preserve or enhance the character of the Georgian New Town Conservation Area.

Siting

The previous application was refused partly on grounds that it would obstruct pedestrian flows. The statue would be in the same position as previously. However, while close to the top of the steps (0.95m (3’) away), there would be sufficient room around the statue (approx 2m each side) to allow free flows of pedestrians.

Equalities

This proposal has been considered against the duty of the Council to consider equality issues. The statue would be an additional feature in the pedestrian area and may be an obstruction to partially sighted people, but would not present any greater obstruction than other similar street furniture. The recommended condition relating to plinth design should address issues of health and safety.

Biodiversity

Given the details of the proposal and the characteristics of the site it is considered that there would be no implications for areas or species of ecological significance.

Crime and Disorder

Given the nature of the proposal it is considered that there would not be, or likely to be, an increase in crime or disorder or the potential for such an increase.

Flood Risk

No implications

Conclusion

It is considered that the proposals accord with relevant development plan policy and national guidance, and in the absence of overriding material consideration to the contrary, the application is recommended for approval, subject to revised plinth details or alternative fixing solution, and the use of tactile pavers.

RECOMMENDATION

That the application be approved for the following reason : -

The proposed statue would have an acceptable impact upon visual amenity in the locality, the special character of the Georgian New Town Conservation Area, the setting of nearby listed buildings, the vitality and viability of the city centre, and highway and pedestrian safety, and would comply with policies YH4, HE1 and ENV9 of the Regional Spatial Strategy, Policy ENV6 of the Joint Structure Plan, and Policies G2, BE1, BE15, BE18, BE19, BE28, M9, CC1, CC8 and CC11 of the Local Plan. and subject to the following conditions:

1 DET2Atime limit - 3 years

2 DET1BDevelopment to accord with approved plan

3 Before development begins, full details of the plinth serving the statue or alternative means of fixing the statue shall be submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority (in order to preserve the special character of the surrounding conservation area and the setting of nearby listed buildings, and to provide assistance for partially sighted person, and to comply with Policies BE1, BE10, BE15, BE19, and BE28 of the Local Plan.