RNLI statue will not be installed at popular beach

A bronze statue of an RNLI lifeguard will no longer be installed at a popular beach after a town council opposed plans for the artwork.

Cornwall Council originally approved the charity's planning application for the artwork on the rocky foreshore at Porthmeor beach in St Ives.

But the plans were opposed by St Ives Town Council, which said the figurative portrayal of the lifesaver was "related to another Cornish town" and the "selection of St Ives... appears to have been arbitrary".

The RNLI said the sculpture would no longer be situated at Porthmeor but "several coastal locations" were being considered as alternatives, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The bronze sculpture by Zennor-based artist Holly Bendall, entitled Let Not The Deep Swallow Me Up, shows a female RNLI lifeguard standing watch over the sea.

It was inspired by the actions of RNLI lifeguard Sophie Grant-Crookston, who, in 2006, became the first female lifeguard to receive a Medal of Gallantry in recognition of her bravery after saving a surfer's life in Perranporth.

Councillor Andrew Mitchell, who represents St Ives on Cornwall Council, said although he had the "greatest respect" for the RNLI he believed the scupture was "definitely the wrong thing in the wrong place".

"I can confirm that although Cornwall Council granted planning permission on an officer decision, the RNLI is no longer going to proceed at Porthmeor."

He said the RNLI had negotiated with Perranzabuloe Parish Council to have the statue placed there as the lifesaver's home town but the parish council and the RNLI could not confirm it would be unveiled on Perranporth beach or another nearby location.

Councillor Paul Viney, chairman of St Ives Town Council's planning committee, said members felt the scale and design of the sculpture "did not enhance the proposed setting on Porthmeor beach" and the story was "not related" to St Ives.

He said the committee understood the sculpture "will not be sited in St Ives but in the village of Perranporth, the home of the lifesaver depicted in the design".

Bendall said last month she and the RNLI were "disheartened" by the town council's opposition, but were looking forward to seeing the sculpture become "a lasting tribute to the RNLI and the community it serves".

The RNLI said: "Several coastal locations are being considered as possible sites for the sculpture.

"A variety of factors are being taken into account. A final decision is yet to be made."

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