FAKE PALM TREE WILL"ACT AS A REWARD TO VISITORS FOR REACHING END OF NORTH PROM"

The plan is for the artificial palm to be in situ by the end of the year

PLANNING permission has now been submitted for an artificial 22-metre high palm tree to be located, later this year, on North Promenade, Cleethorpes.

Those behind the scheme says the illuminated 'art installation' will provide a 'fun reward' for visitors and may encourage the setting up of new businesses.

The project has the preliminary backing of North East Lincolnshire Council.

Enthuses the council's deputy leader, Coun John Fenty (Con, Humberston & New Waltham): "Art can be controversial.

"Did you know that the Angel of the North was strongly opposed, but now is a much loved landmark?

"The objective of the overall project is to drive footfall along the North Prom which will have a positive impact on businesses and health and wellbeing.

He continued: "Public art can be Marmite – love it or hate it, it’s a talking point. 

"If The White Palm lures you down the North Prom don’t forget to buy a stick of rock, or an ice cream, then it’s job done!”

Below is an excerpt from the design statement.

North Promenade in Cleethorpes has some of the best uninterrupted vistas of the Humber Estuary with direct sightlines to Spurn Point, Grimsby Dock Tower and Patrington church on the North Bank of the Humber.  

At the north western end of North Promenade there is a turning point/roundabout with brick seating. 

The area has become largely unused and forgotten due to a lack of visitors/walkers venturing on to the North Prom or using this route.

The North Promenade remains a very important destination and arrival point in the town.

It defines an edge between the Humber Estuary, shaped by the forces of nature, and the urban environment of Cleethorpes, created through human activity over hundreds of years.  

The approach to improving the North Promenade will mark this maritime frontier, celebrating it as a public place – a stage and linear viewing platform from which to enjoy the grand panorama of sea and sky.

It recognises the promenade as a distinct and special place dedicated to leisure, walking, and procession for the good of mind and body, not forgetting the entertainment and attention of others.

The project brief considers the promenade journey and experience, throughout the day and night, and throughout the year. 

An investment will be made into bespoke public art projects in order to support the growth of the visitor economy and improve the quality of space throughout the town.

The White Palm is a proposal by the artist, Wolfgang Weileder (54), for a new large-scale public sculpture for the western end of the North Promenade.  

                                            

Wolfgang Weileder - native of Munich but now based in Newcastle

The artwork consists of a 22m tall white artificial palm tree and black paving that references its shadow at noon. 

The shadow paving underneath The White Palm will be partly made from recycled non-organic material collected from Cleethorpes’ beaches.  

At night The White Palm will be illuminated by spotlights.

Cleethorpes-based architects, Hodsons, describe the White Palm as "easily identifiable and accessible to a wide audience”.

Says the firm: “Referencing the classic Mediterranean beach promenade, it plays with the local fun seaside experience. 

“The White Palm will stand out as a beacon to be seen from the land and water and has the potential to be a major landmark for the whole area.

“Situated at the north western end of the North Promenade, the sculpture will be positioned next to the Humber that covers a petrified forest.  The remains of tree stumps are sometimes visible at low tide.  

“As the only other trees in the area, they are marks of what was once a very different landscape.  

“Echoing the remains of the trees in the water and creating the shadow from the litter on the beaches, The White Palm references the past, but is also a warning for the future.  

“If we don’t change our behaviours and the climates continues to deteriorate, palm trees might become a common sight on the East Coast.”

Mr Weileder is an artist whose practice is primarily concerned with the examination and critical deconstruction of architecture, public spaces and the interactions we have with the urban environment. 

His works are investigations into the relationship between time and space, the interface between permanence and transience, and how these can be explored to question our understanding of the landscape, both built and natural.

“His work engages with the world through large-scale, permanent and temporary site-specific installation and sculpture; temporal recordings of spaces and environments through photography, film, performance and sound installation.

Mr Weileder is originally from Munich, Germany but moved to the UK in 2000 and is currently Professor in Contemporary Sculpture at Newcastle University.

The existing site is currently unused and will therefore provide an opportunity for a piece of public art to increase the amount of tourism and trade to Cleethorpes seafront.  

The White Palm sculpture will act as a ‘reward’ to visitors for reaching the end of the North Promenade and in celebrating it as a public place – a stage and linear viewing platform from which to enjoy the grand panorama of sea and sky.

The North Promenade, in its heritage, is a site which has been recognised for its distinctive and tall landmarks typically associated with the public enjoyment of the seaside.  

Attractions such as the Big Wheel, Helter Skelter, Big Dipper and the Revolving Tower viewing platform all demonstrate how the North Promenade is a location in which tall structures have played a role in providing seaside entertainment.  

Historically, height has provided a fun reward on the North Promenade.  We believe the proposal seeks to provide a similar reward.

There will be no alterations to the surrounding buildings or landscape as the proposal only affects the designated site.  

As this location is 430m from the local Cleethorpes conservation area, and 450m from the closest listed buildings, there will be little or no impact on these heritage assets.  

The proximity of the palm tree to the conservation area does not obstruct sea views. 

Its placement at the north western end of the North Promenade will attract visitors and has the potential to increase footfall which allows increased trade, longer opening hours and an extended season.  

This may lead to more traders moving to the North Promenade.

As this is a standalone sculpture, there will be no sound pollution created by the palm tree to affect residents, walkers or visitors.  The proposal is lit by three uplights situated at the base of The White Palm.  

Its 22m height will not obstruct the views of the coastline as the palm leaves sit at least 17m above ground level.  

The significance of this is that it will draw more positive and inquisitive attention to the opposite end of the beach. 

In terms of appearance, it will help to improve the overall look of the North Promenade by creating a significant feature with clear reference to a seaside context.  

In relation to its context, The White Palm stands at 22m whereas the surrounding Wonderland structures only reach around 10m, with most reaching approximately 5m as a maximum height.

We feel that The White Palm proposal seeks to improve the quality of the north western end of the North Promenade.  

Creating a reward at one end of the ‘four- mile resort’, it will provide businesses with an increase in footfall and as a result will increase trade, allowing businesses to extend their opening hours and extend the season. It may also attract further businesses.  

The proposal recognises the promenade as a distinct and special place dedicated to leisure, walking, and procession for the good of mind and body, not forgetting the entertainment and attention of others.

* There is an opportunity to comment on the proposal via the Planning section of the council's website