A commemorative RNLI sculpture which failed to find favour with St Ives town councillors has been given the go-ahead by a Cornwall Council planning officer.
A photograph in the planning submission showing the spot where the statue would be located on Porthmeor Beach
The proposal, submitted by the RNLI, is for a sculpture on rocks on Porthmeor Beach. Let Not The Deep Swallow Me Up depicts a female RNLI lifeguard standing watch over the sea. The sculpture has been commissioned by the RNLI to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their Lifeguard Service this year, and to celebrate the courage, dedication, and public service of lifeguards.
It is inspired by the actions of Cornwall RNLI lifeguard Sophie Grant-Crookston, who, in 2006, carried out a courageous swim rescue off Perranporth to save a surfer’s life, and became the first female lifeguard to receive a Medal of Gallantry in recognition of her bravery.
The sculpture has been designed by Cornwall-based artist Holly Bendall and will comprise a life-sized bronze figure positioned on an existing rock outcrop above the mean high-water line.
Members of the town council’s planning committee — while acknowledging that it was good to celebrate the work of the lifeguards — were concerned about a lack of consultation, and also a lack of local connection. Johhnie Wells said: “I think it’s great. I just feel it doesn’t have a connection to St Ives.”
However, the Cornwall Council planning office said: “The comments of the town council have been taken into account relating to the design process and in this instance it is considered that there is not a strong enough justification to refuse the planning permission due to the design process itself.
“Furthermore the submitted scheme is considered to be acceptable in scale and design and does reflect the premise of the development in owing recognition to the RNLI and its staff.”
