Artist’s victory in battle over ‘tacky’ Kelpies snack bar
THEY have become a major tourist attraction, with thousands of people flocking to see the two giant horsehead sculptures.
But now The Kelpies have been caught up in a bitter planning row after a Bavarian-style fastfood cabin selling burgers and other snacks opened only yards away.
Artist Andy Scott, who created the towering art installation near Falkirk, Stirlingshire, called it a ‘tacky burger van’ that defiled his vision, and he demanded it be removed from the site, next to the Forth and Clyde Canal. Planning officials at Falkirk Council recently refused to grant the owners of the Artisan Grill retrospective planning permission for the snack bar but the operators then sought a review.
Now, however, the local authority has confirmed that permission will not be granted.
Mr Scott, who is based in Maryhill, Glasgow, said: ‘I am absolutely delighted that good sense has prevailed. This decision means that the artworks and the landscaping will once again be seen in their full glory in the way it was intended.’
In a previous letter to the council, the 52-year-old wrote: ‘With every day that passes, hundreds more people are having their appreciation of these sculptures marred by this monstrous carbuncle masquerading as a
‘Good sense has prevailed’
fast-food outlet. It is a woeful situation.
‘If the fake Bavarian burger bar is not removed at the soonest opportunity through planning procedures I will reluctantly be forced to instruct my lawyers to take appropriate steps.’
Confirming the decision, a Falkirk Council spokesman said: ‘The operators were previously refused planning permission by planning officers under delegated powers. They then asked for a review.
‘The planning review committee of Falkirk Council has upheld officers’ decision to refuse planning permission.’
Mr Scott has created public works of art in London, Belfast and Queensland, Australia.
The Falkirk sculptures, which stand 100ft high and contain 600 tons of steel, were inspired by the ancient myth of the kelpies – water spirits that appeared in the form of a horse.
They have already attracted more than a million visitors since they were officially opened last summer.
Falkirk Community Trust (FCT), a charitable arm of Falkirk Council which runs the site, awarded a contract to provide food to the catering company.
In an attempt to resolve the row, the firm, which offers ‘Kelpie burgers’ on its menu, offered to move to a less contentious location.
A letter sent by representatives of Supreme Fast Foods – owner of the Artisan Grill – to officials said: ‘If the review board has concerns regarding design or location the applicant is willing to accept a condition that the unit be relocated to the satisfaction of the head of planning.’
Tom McInally, a town planner who is acting for the stall operators, said: ‘The applicant simply responded to an invitation to tender for a business opportunity advertised on a Scottish Government website at the request of FCT. FCT was fully aware of the nature and location of the proposed food unit and allowed the applicant to operate from the site and provided clearance that landowner consent was not required.’
A spokesman for FCT said: ‘The matter of the suitability for this operation in land use terms is a matter for the local planning authority, not FCT or the sculptor.’