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| The proposed palm tree artwork - "love it or hate it, people will definitely go see" |
“Something like this might be fine for Las Vegas, but what’s a palm tree got to do with Cleethorpes?”demanded Cllr Tim Mickleburgh.
“It will become a magnet for troublemakers.
“And why was there not a competition allowing local artists to submit ideas?”
A protest was also voiced by Cllr Steve Beasant who said he could see little benefit in the project.
“Why should public money be invested in something that has no relationship with the area?" he fumed.
The Grimsby councillor went on to warn that publicity-seekers would seek their moment of “glory” in the media by seeking to clamber up the fake tree - just as individuals sometimes do on local rooftops.
He criticised the Grimsby Telegraph for giving coverage to such happenings.
A third committee member - Cllr Janet Goodwin - also had misgivings, specifically about whether the ‘tree’ would be maintained post-installation.
However, the application, submitted by the council itself, was approved 6-4 (with one abstention) on the recommendation of Engie planning case officer Cheryl Jarvis.
In her presentation, Ms Jarvis revealed that the trunk of the tree would be that of a real palm with the centre hollowed out to accommodate an internal steel pole to provide stability.
At the base, a shadow effect will be created with the use of dark-coloured materials including plastic and other litter gathered from the beach.
However, it is not yet known what materials will be used for the ‘leaves’.
Because the tree will be illuminated from the base, the hope is that it will generate increased footfall after dark, thereby stimulating business activity along a largely neglected stretch of the resort.
This point was heeded by committee chairman Cllr Steve Harness who said his initial knee jerk reaction had been one of dislike and that he would much rather the site had been given over to rebuilding of the rollercoaster of yesteryear.
However, following reflection, he was now supportive - not least because he had received a letter from a North Promenade trader welcoming the proposal.
Also in favour was Cllr Bill Parkinson who said seaside resorts should offer something different in order to encourage visitors from Scunthorpe, Sheffield and elsewhere.
He said some people seemed to have a fear of public art, recalling how a previous buckets-and-fountains project had been abandoned after having been “rubbished” in the Grimsby Telegraph.
He went on to speak favourably of the Angel of The North statue near Newcastle and a pyramid-shaped hotel in Las Vegas.
However, he acknowledged the need for a maintenance programme.
“If it goes rusty, it’s going to look silly,” he warned.
Proposing approval, Cllr Henry Hudson said of the artist’s impression. “It doesn’t look tacky.
“Love it or hate it, people will certainly go and look at it.”
The committee also heard from the scheme’s agent, architect Mark Hobson, who described the credentials of the palm’s German creator, Wolfgang Weileder.
“Public art is uplifting and thought-provoking,” continued Mr Hodason. "It gives value - social cultural and economic.
"This will increase footfall, extend the holiday season and encourage businesses to stay open for longer."
It is not known when work will start on Project Palm.
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