Burger bar has ‘defiled’ the Kelpies, says artist
Sculptor launches legal bid
THEY were inspired by the myth of shape-shifting loch spirits that appeared in the form of a horse.
But sculptor Andy Scott claims his vision of two towering Kelpies has been ‘defiled’ by the more recent appearance of a fast food stall in the form of a ‘fake Bavarian burger bar’.
The artist is understood to be so enraged by the arrival of the ‘tacky concession stand’ – which even sells Kelpie burgers – next to his 100ft sculpture that he has threatened to take legal action to ensure its removal.
Mr Scott, 52, has written to planning officials at Falkirk Council warning them he could disown the project as the stall’s proximity to his equine structures risks harming his professional reputation.
The massive pair of horse heads looming over the Forth and Clyde Canal near Falkirk, made from 600 tons of steel, has quickly become one of the country’s bestloved landmarks, attracting more than one million visitors since an official opening by Princess Anne last summer.
But the arrival of Artisan Grill, a German-style fast food cabin, prompted a smouldering Mr Scott to contact council planners and the Falkirk Community Trust (FCT), a charitable arm of the council that operates the £43million Helix parkland project.
Artisan Grill’s owners won a contract from FCT to provide food but opened before applying for planning permission.
When a retrospective application was refused, they called for a review
‘Potential to harm my reputation’
of the decision. It is due to be heard next month.
In a submission to the review process, Mr Scott wrote: ‘Placing a fake Bavarian burger bar at the foot of the sculptures, a tacky concession stand which even had the gall to sell “Kelpie burgers”, shows that the management of FCT apparently have no understanding of the cultural importance of the asset they have inherited, nor of their obligations to the artist who created them.
‘It beggars belief that permission was ever given for this eyesore within The Kelpies site in the first place. The burger bar quite clearly affects how the public perceives the artworks. It is within clear sight from almost every angle as one approaches and views the sculptures.’
Mr Scott added: ‘The burger bar’s positioning defiles the sculptures’ cultural standing in the eyes of the audience. In doing so, it undermines my professional standing and, in effect, therefore has the potential to harm my reputation and in turn my career and future income.’
The Glasgow-based sculptor claims the arrival of the stall could prevent the site being used for TV, film and photographic backdrops, thus affecting potential revenue.
Mr Scott warned that if the burger bar was not removed ‘at the soonest opportunity’, he would ‘reluctantly be forced to instruct my lawyers to take appropriate steps – and will take additional measures myself in terms of my ongoing relationship with the project’.
The artist was unavailable for further comment yesterday. But Adam Toleman, director of Falkirk-based Arka Architects, backed Mr Scott’s view.
He said: ‘I wouldn’t have thought it was an appropriate thing to have in the immediate environment.’
The FCT said that the future of the burger stall was now out of its hands and rested with the planning authority.
A spokesman for Falkirk Council said: ‘In line with Scottish Government guidance, the Planning Authority would not take further enforcement action while an appeal to the Planning Review Committee is pending.’
The owners of Artisan Grill, which was open for business yesterday, were unavailable for comment.