PLANS to erect a bronze statue of a lifeguard at a St Ives beach to commemorate the RNLI’s 25th anniversary have been approved despite concerns the artwork would be in the wrong town.

Cornwall Council has given the go ahead to install the sculpture depicting a female RNLI lifeguard standing watch over the sea at Porthmeor beach entitled Let Not The Deep Swallow Me Up by Zennor-based artist Holly Bendall.

But St Ives Town Council objected to the plans stating the selection of St Ives as a location to mark the anniversary appears to have been “arbitrary” as the statue was inspired by the “heroic” rescue lifeguard SophieGrant-Crookston carried out saving a surfer’s life at Perranporth Beach in 2006.

The town council stated it would prefer that any proposed design reflected the story and character of St Ives.

The authority stated as a consultee: “The council is concerned that the commission of any new public art follows best practice, including community consultation and engagement, transparency in artist selection and a strong understand of site context and sense of place.

“There is little evidence of any meaningful consultation or that a specific design process for this piece in this location has been followed.

“The figurative portrayal is of an important local RNLI life saver is related to another Cornish town and the selection of St Ives as a location to mark the anniversary appears to have been arbitrary. Other locations were considered for the sculpture.

“The council would prefer that any proposed design reflected the story and character of St Ives and be of an appropriate scale height and mass which demonstrated a sound understanding of the site, local context and landscape and contributed positively to placemaking.”

A Cornwall Council planning officer stated the town council’s objection was taken into consideration but approved the statue.

The report states: “The comments of the town council have been taken into account relating to the design process and in this instance, it is considered that there is not a strong enough justification to refuse the planning permission due to the design process itself.

“Furthermore, the submitted scheme is considered to be acceptable in scale and design and does reflect the premise of the development in owing recognition to the RNLI and its staff.

“On balance it is considered that the proposal is acceptable, subject to conditions. All other matters raised have been taken into account, including the planning history and the comments of the parish council but none is of such significance as to outweigh the considerations that have led to the conclusion.”

Ms Bendall said she and the RNLI were “disheartened” by the town council’s opposition, but were now looking forward to seeing the sculpture become “a lasting tribute to the RNLI and the community it serves.”

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She said: “Although this sculpture is very much inspired by Sophie’s heroic swim rescue at Perranporth, with the swim fins and her long legs, it is not an exact representation of Sophie. I have made the sculpture to commemorate all lifeguards for the RNLI’s 25th anniversary.”