Herald Express (Torbay, Brixham & South Hams Edition)
Rebels’ fight to keep Star Wars landmark on A38
HUNDREDS of people have formed a Rebel Alliance in a bid to save a Star Wars vehicle erected on the side of the A38 in South Devon from being removed.
Paul Parker has installed a model of an Imperial scout walker, which featured in iconic movie Return of the Jedi, at the side of the A38 a mile outside Ashburton.
But Teignbridge Council has given him 21 days to tear the £12,000 model down – and people aren’t happy.
Paul put the AT-ST there two weeks ago to create a local landmark and talking point similar to the Willow Man statue beside the M5 in Somerset, and to create interest in the market town.
But he received a letter from Teignbridge District Council saying he had 21 days to remove it because he didn’t have planning permission.
More than 850 people have now signed a petition telling Teignbridge Council this is not the droid they’re looking for.
The petition on Change.Org was set up by Derek Peters, and people have been leaving their messages of support.
Karen Paver said: “This makes me smile when I see this. No different to orange elephant or wicker man or the camel on the M5.”
Eddie Lill said: “Haven’t the council got better things to winge about!?
“It brightens my journey to work and I’m sure it will be a welcome sight for tourists to come.”
Katherine Turner said: “My children love seeing it. Why on earth would anyone have a problem with this?”
Neil Bulman said: “It’s innocent fun and interesting. The rest of the country can have exceptional roadside art, why can’t we?”
The man behind the model says it is widely supported. Mr Parker, who runs a storage business and is a member of Ashburton Chamber of Trade, said: “About 99% of the comments I’ve had have been positive.
“It’s a bit of fun. I wanted to do something that would create interest in Ashburton and maybe help get people to visit. It’s been a talking point in the two weeks it’s been up.
“It’s not doing any harm from what I can see but the council says it’s a fixed structure and it doesn’t have planning permission.
“I’m going to fight it. I’ll put in a retrospective planning application and if that fails I’ll make it mobile by putting wheels on it and moving it around.”
The model is made of steel and took welder-fabricator Dean Harvey 400 hours to create for his daughters four years ago.
He said: “I made it as a den and slide for my daughters and put it in my garden.
“They’ve grown out of it now so I’ve loaned it to Paul.
“I’d say it cost around £4,000 to build.
“A wooden one sold for thousands a while ago so mine may be worth £10,000 to £12,000.
“I think it’s a talking point for Ashburton and good for tourism. I can’t see what harm it’s doing.”
A spokesman for Teignbridge Council said: “We can confirm Mr Parker has been written to and been advised of his options regarding this. However an enforcement notice has not been issued.”