Accept Damien Hirst's Verity statue, North Devon council advised
North Devon councillors are being advised to accept the offer from Damien Hirst of a huge statue of a naked pregnant woman wielding a sword at the entrance to Ilfracombe harbour.
The statue, called Verity, could be moved into place at the start of October.
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The executive committee of North Devon Council will decide next Thursday whether to accept the offer from Mr Hirst. They will meet the day after the council's planning committee decides whether to grant planning permission for the statue.
In a report to the executive committee Ellen Vernon, the authority's economic development manager, says: "The offer of the loan of Verity, a significant and unique artwork created by the world's greatest living artist, is felt to be of immeasurable value to the community of Ilfracombe in terms of its regeneration value and potential to improve the town's tourism offer.
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"Costs associated with Verity are of sufficiently small scale to be felt to be reasonable for the regeneration benefit expected, and in addition car parking revenue would be expected to increase so offsetting such costs.
"In the medium term it will be important to be bold in altering Ilfracombe's car parking strategy, including identifying additional capacity."
A suggested timescale would see the statue brought to Ilfracombe on October 3/4 and hoisted into place on October 17/18.
POLL: Would you like to see Damien Hirst's 'Angel of the West' statue erected in Ilfracombe? Vote now at the top right-hand side of this page or click here.
Comments
by AntiStatue
Thursday, September 20 2012, 10:34AM
“The Council show us their true feelings for the Conservation Area.”
by lovesit
Thursday, August 30 2012, 4:01PM
“They'd be mad to turn this opportunity down.
I'm finding it hilarious how those who disagree think that they are in the majority. I'd say that at least 90% of my colleagues and friends are in favour of Verity! You also need to look at the amount of online support within the town. Despite being active for a similar amount of time, the Facebook group "Stop the Ilfracombe Damien Hirst Statue 2012" has five members, three of whom appear to be pro-Verity and the "We are from Ilfracombe and we want Damien's Statue" group has three hundred and fourty nine active members!
I think the poll on this website is a bit of a pointless one if i'm being honest as a majority of voters probably will not even be from Ilfracombe. I don't think I deserve a say on what happens in another town where I am not a resident and I think the same applies vice versa.”
by lovesit
Thursday, August 30 2012, 3:53PM
“They'd be mad to turn this opportunity down.
I'm finding it hilarious how those who disagree think that they are in the majority. I'd say that at least 90% of my colleagues and friends are in favour of Verity! You also need to look at the amount of online support within the town. Despite being active for a similar amount of time, the Facebook group "Stop the Ilfracombe Damien Hirst Statue 2012" has five members, three of whom appear to be pro-Verity and the "We are from Ilfracombe and we want Damien's Statue" group has three hundred and fourty nine active members!
I think the poll on this website is a bit of a pointless one if i'm being honest as a majority of voters probably will not even be from Ilfracombe. I don't think I deserve a say on what happens in another town where I am not a resident and I think the same applies vice versa.”