AN artist has told how he decided to appeal against a council decision to reject his plan for a metal-cast tree sculpture on Borth beach because there is “lots of support” for the scheme.

As the Cambrian News reported last week, Taliesin-based artist Robert Davies has launched an appeal with Welsh inspectors against a Ceredigion council planning committee decision to reject the proposed artwork Tree despite the scheme being given the green light by the authority’s planning officers.

The planned sculpture attracted criticism from some local residents, with 31 letters of objection being received as well as a petition.

The scheme, which was backed in a planning report by planning officers, received 19 letters of support, including from Ceredigion’s AM and MP.

Mr Davies told the Cambrian News: “We’re appealing because the Ceredigion Planning Department in the case officers’ very detailed report supported our application for Tree.

“The councillors on the site inspection panel (specially convened to visit Borth and consider Tree) voted unanimously 5-0 and yet the Development Control Committee voted 10-9 to refuse.

“So after taking advice we decided to appeal.

“I have lots of political, community and cultural support for Tree.”

Concerns raised by objectors include the “detrimental effect the sculpture would have on the landscape”, “the safety of swimmers and surfers” and “parking problems caused by sight-seers”.

Campaigner Kim Williams said: “There is a lot of will in the local community to see a compromise on this matter.

“Many people are not opposed to the idea of Tree but to its proposed location and significant scale.

“We would welcome discussions with the artist to look at alternative locations in the village as we are a community that thrives on art and values our wild places.”

The deadline for submissions to the Welsh Inspectorate on the appeal is Thursday, 26 April.

A final decision from inspectors will be made later this year.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition tomorrow