No sir, no sir – sheep statue is baa-ed

A giant sheep sculpture inspired by Baa Baa Black Sheep and proposed for the middle of a roundabout has been refused planning permission.

The Three Bags Full statue would have stood 25ft (7.5m) above Regiment Roundabout on a main road to the south of Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Planning officers rejected the proposal, citing safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians.

In its rejection letter, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said the statue was likely to "obstruct sightlines", and the slope at the base might be used as a "potential launch or take-off ramp" for vehicles.

The £25,000 installation would have featured a metal sheep standing on three bags of wool and been illuminated at night.

Its developer said it would act as a "Welcome to Beverley" feature, referencing the nearby Shepherd's Lane and the town's farming history.

"It is deliberately quirky and humorous so that it has mass public appeal and is particularly enjoyed by children," the application said.

But as well as traffic concerns, council officers said they feared it would become a tourist attraction, which would be risky at the "very busy interchange".

"Pedestrians may attempt to access the sculpture for photo opportunities, requiring them to cross multiple lanes of live traffic, creating a significant safety risk," their report said.

"It is likely to encourage unsafe stopping and crossing in inappropriate places."

It added that "the size, scale, appearance, materials and lighting of the tall, imposing sculpture and mound" would not have been appropriate.

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