‘Hideous’ town centre sculpture is scrapped

from the Government’s £1.2m High Street Innovation Fund fronted by businesswoman and TV presenter Mary Portas. The piece was to have been made by Lockwood-based metal fabricators G&D Enterprises Ltd.

He said: “I suspect that one part of the council has acted in ignorance of the greater need for New Street. Someone thinks they’ve had a good idea but haven’t discussed it with other parts of the council.

“The south end of New Street doesn’t need piecemeal action where you take just one element. It’s everything. I’m very grateful to all the citizens who took up their pens to make comments against it. We – Huddersfield – would have been embarrassed.

“£25,000 does not buy a lot these days but to add more clutter to the street is wrong.”

Yesterday David Boultbee said he was aware of the council’s decision not to go ahead with the piece but was reluctant to comment further.

He said: “It’s a council decision. I cannot really talk about it.”

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said the planning application was withdrawn so that the authority “could take the opportunity to consider placement in the context of wider regeneration schemes within the district” and followed comments from the public.

“This will ensure the sculpture is situated in the best place for the residents, shoppers and visitors to the district to enjoy. We hope to unveil plans on the future of the work in the very near future.”