Horse statue to celebrate Appleby's gipsy fair ‘offensive to locals'

Yahoo

11-04-2025

A stallion sculpture to celebrate gipsies and travellers has been refused planning permission because it may not be inclusive enough to locals.
Blacksmith Jake Bowers had wanted to install his statue on the banks of the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria – which is the site of the large annual gipsy horse event – as a 'gesture of inclusion' to marginalised traveller communities.
But planning officials have turned it down, arguing it may not take into account the 'anxiety, antisocial behaviour, and distress' experienced by some local people during the yearly fair.
Mr Bowers created the large statue from galvanised steel, measuring 2.1m by 3.5m. It was to be placed on a plinth next to the river.
The application was put into Westmorland and Furness Council by community interest group Drive2Survive in February.
But planners turned down the application, saying they had to consider 'social cohesion' and that it competed with nearby historic buildings.
A report written by planning officer Aneena Cheriyan said: 'A large number of residents expressed concerns about amenity and social impact.
'The sculpture's association with the Appleby Horse Fair was cited as a source of emotional discomfort and division for some members of the community, with references to anxiety, antisocial behaviour, and distress experienced during the annual event.
'Some objectors expressed concern that the sculpture would extend that symbolic presence year-round in a space currently valued for its neutrality and quiet recreational use.'
Ms Cheriyan added: 'Some public comments described deeply personal and emotionally distressing experiences during previous fairs.
'While individual incidents or allegations fall outside the scope of planning, these submissions highlight the perceived emotional and symbolic impact of the proposal on residents' relationship with this public space.
'Such perceptions, even if not measurable in physical terms, are relevant to the planning consideration of amenity and social cohesion… which requires developments to create 'safe, inclusive and accessible places' that promote 'a high standard of amenity for existing and future users'.
'The proposal, by creating a strong cultural statement within a shared and sensitive space, has the potential to alter the way the area is used and perceived.
'The result, for some, could be a diminished sense of belonging or comfort in a space that has previously served as neutral ground for all members of the community.'
The Appleby Horse Fair takes place over a week in June and usually attracts up to 10,000 Roma and travellers, as well as hundreds of horse-drawn cars and 30,000 visitors.
Horses are washed and ridden in the River Eden in a tradition that has its origins in the 18th century.
In a statement submitted to the council, Mr Bowers said 'very little tangible evidence exists of the central importance of the fair to the town and its Gipsy and traveller visitors'.
He added: 'As a permanent fixture in the life of the town and the culture of Gipsies and Travellers, the Gipsy and Traveller community would like to donate a public sculpture to the town of Appleby to make this crucial part of the town's intangible heritage more tangible and visible.'
Appleby Town Council supported the proposal, as did many of those living in the town.
In total, there were 163 letters of support and 72 objections.
Councillor Andy Connell gave his blessing, but added: 'Local responses will inevitably reflect the extent to which individual residents enjoy, tolerate or resent this undoubtedly disruptive occasion.'
Planning officials said they considered the proposal 'culturally significant, both artistically and symbolically', adding: 'A large number of supportive comments have identified the sculpture as a gesture of inclusion, recognition, and heritage preservation.
'The commemorative intention behind the application is therefore fully acknowledged and respected.'
But they also warned that because of the statue's size and shiny nature it would compete with views of nearby heritage assets including the Grade I listed Church of St Lawrence and St Lawrence's Bridge.
The stallion statue is part of a series of sculptures to be erected across Britain, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
It is not known whether the applicants will move the sculpture's location and reapply.
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