Petition supports Saltire ban blacksmith.

Petitioners want blacksmith’s statue to stay despite council ruling

A blacksmith who has been ordered to take down his patriotic sculpture hopes he can save the steel man, amid a wave of support.

The larger-than-life Saltire-bearing figure, for which there is no planning permission, remains on the roof of Andrew Davies’ Kinghorn workshop despite Fife Council giving him 28 days to remove it.

More than 2,200 people have signed a petition demanding the popular statue remain and Andrew may soon submit a planning application, with the slim hope of winning the council’s seal of approval.

The ornate flag-holder, which took Andrew seven weeks to craft from 5,000 pieces of steel, was a hit with locals when it appeared on Kinghorn’s skyline in April.

But a single complaint to the council, has put a question mark over its future on the roof of Archway Metals, near the historic Kinghorn Town House.

Andrew said: “We got a letter from the council saying we had 28 days to remove it because one person had objected. They said it was on the edge of a conservation area.

“We have now asked for planning advice, which staves off the 28 days and once we get that we will go back with a planning application.

“Asking me to take my flag down is like asking me to surrender.”

Andrew, who is now building a unicorn sculpture, said the steel man had received a warm reception from villagers and he was delighted at the backing he is receiving.

“The petition is amazing, it’s a good feeling to know we have that support,” he added.

However, he said he had been told it was unlikely his application would win similar support from planners.

Resident John Mallin, who started the petition, said: “It isn’t causing any harm or offence and I’m told only one person objected to the sculpture being up there.

“Because of that the council has given them 28 days to take it down, which is excessive.

“There is a big housing scheme being built in Kinghorn which lots of people objected to, yet that was allowed.”

John said Archway Metals staff had put a lot of hard work and effort into the work of art, and people wanted to see the new landmark remain.

He also said he was astounded by the level of backing for his petition, but that it demonstrated the affection people have for the statue, which is illuminated at night. “People feel very strongly about this,” he said.

The council’s Nicolas Lopez, lead officer development management, said: “The statue is an unauthorised building operation in a conservation area, affecting a listed building, which is an offence.

“The owner has been given 28 days to remove it and is currently seeking preapplication advice from the council.”

Asking me to take my flag down is like asking me to surrender. BLACKSMITH ANDREW DAVIES

Mr Davies says he is delighted at the public support he has received and is going to submit a planning application.

Pictures: Steven Brown. The artwork is made of more than 5,000 pieces of steel and illuminated at night.