Wakefield woman told to take down gorilla statue

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A woman has been ordered to remove a 4ft gorilla statue from the front of her house in Wakefield or face a fine. Adele Teale bought the figure, which she affectionately named Caesar, more than 20 years ago and proudly displayed him at her previous home in Leeds for 15 years. She spoke to Toby Foster about the issue. Joe Jenkinson, Wakefield Council's service director for planning, transportation and strategic highways, said: "We have to investigate all complaints and we appreciate that not everyone will agree, but under planning rules this required planning permission. "The Planning Inspectorate is completely independent of the council, and having looked at it impartially, have dismissed the owner's appeal and upheld the enforcement notice. "This means the gorilla statue will need to be removed from its current site within four weeks. No-one is asking her to get rid of Caesar. It just can't go there."