‘Iron Ring’ plan cost £10k before its rejection
CONTROVERSIAL plans for an Iron Ring sculpture cost more than £10,000 before they were finally scrapped.
More than 11,000 people signed a petition opposing the design for the sculpture at Flint Castle before it was scrapped earlier this month.
The ring was originally set to cost £395,000 and could have measured up to 7m high and 30m wide.
The Welsh Government had said it “symbolises a giant rusted crown”.
But the Iron Ring is the term for the fearsome castles built by Edward I in an enormous military and building effort to assert dominance over the uprising Welsh.
They include Harlech, Conwy, Beaumaris and Caernarfon. Flint was one of the first castles to be built in Wales by Edward I – construction began in 1277.
People opposed to the Iron Ring sculpture claimed it celebrated the “subjugation and oppression of the Welsh people”.
The petition’s description said: “We find this extremely disrespectful to the people of Wales and our ancestors who have battled oppression, subjugation and injustice for hundreds of years”.
But the plans were scrapped earlier this month, with Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates admitting the proposal had proved “divisive”.
A Freedom of Information request by WalesOnline found that more than £10,000 was spent on the plans before the design was scrapped.
This included £1,500 on the initial design proposals, £2,000 on extra design work, £3,168 on legal advice including the fees for drawing up the contract and £3,465 on legal advice and fees for ending the contract.
Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM, said: “The additional legal costs incurred in having to scrap the iron ring came about because of a failure to understand the brief.
“That’s a failure on the part of those commissioning the work – ultimately the Welsh Government – rather than the architects.
“I look forward to seeing a new design that will properly reflect the brief on Welsh legends and complement the various improvements being made to Flint Castle and surrounding area.”
A spokeswoman for Cadw said: “The plans were about investing in Flint, increasing visitor numbers and growing the local economy. Our commitment to this is unwavering.
“Our focus now is to work with local people and partners in Flint on developments aimed at increasing visitor numbers and growing the local economy of the town, which will have the backing of the local community.”