A piece of public artwork for Ventnor is coming back before the Isle of Wight council.
The Time and Tide Bell could be placed on Ventnor Esplanade despite an application earlier this year being withdrawn due to issues raised about its location, and health and safety.
One of 16 bells installed across the UK
Now, in the new application, the bell has been moved further away from the steps of the rotunda bandstand.
The sculpture is made of marine bronze on a supporting structure of steel and would be one of 16 bells installed across the UK.
Gently rings as waves strike the the bell
They have been designed by international sculptor Marcus Vergette and would gently ring as the waves stuck the the bell.
It is designed to ring at high tide and would be roughly a metre above the level of the beach.
Sound blends in with the sound of breaking waves
The sound of the bell has been recorded to be 70db at other installations, which is said to blend in with the sound of breaking waves.
Planning documents say the sound will ‘quickly dissipate’ over distance, back to the seafront so as to be ‘barely discernible’ to residents above the background noise of the sea.
Local objections
Objections have been submitted by residents who feel it is too near their properties.
One said it would cause noise pollution day and night and the land is very unstable where it is proposed to be sited.
Another said they felt a better site for the bell, if at all, would be further along the Esplanade, opposite the car park where there are no residential properties.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/01775/FUL, on the council’s planning portal.
The public consultation runs until 2nd December.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: St Patrick’s Time and Tide Bell in Anglesey
