Statue of King Orry approved by the planning committee

It was recommended for refusal due to an archaeological survey not being carried out

A plan to have an illuminated statue of King Orry in St John’s has been granted planning approval.

It was recommended for refusal by the planning officer on the basis that Tynwald is ‘about the collective’ and that ‘prioritising’ a statue of one figure ‘deviates’ from that.

The officer added that an archaeological evaluation hadn’t been carried out and said Manx National Heritage had concerns about the land.

It will be just under three metres tall and 1.8 metres wide on a verge next to Tynwald Hill.

Drawings of the sculpture show King Orry with a sword and mounted on a plinth inscribed with King Orry’s name in Manx Gaelic, English, and runes.

The cost of the project has not been published but has been confirmed to be 'privately funded'.

Historian Charles Guard spoke in support of the project at the planning hearing and said it will be ‘symbolic’ of the Island’s Viking heritage.

He added that it would be a ‘high quality’ piece of public art of a historical figure from the Island’s past.

Mr Guard added the clothing depicted on the statue is based on latest research.

Committee member Helen Hughes said she was in favour of public art but asked if there would be a difference to road safety if the statue smaller or not lit up.

The representative of the Department of Infrastructure said it wouldn’t make any significant difference to the visibility at the junction.

However it was pointed out during the hearing that both the church and the hill are lit up during the night.

It was unanimously approved by the committee subject to conditions about lighting and archaeological survey.