Expert concerned by £9m dragon tower plan
Saturday 5th February 2011, 6:00PM GMT.
A dragon on a tower planned for the Shropshire border would have a “major impact” on the landscape if it was painted red, it has been warned.
Councillors will meet on Monday to consider the planning application for the 64-metre high “Dragon Tower” for land at Halton near Chirk.
Last month they deferred a decision calling for more information saying they wanted to see a red dragon, not one that could weather in time and change colour.
They also called for more information on the impact the structure would have on the landscape.
The landmark project is being planned by Erbistock arts dealer Simon Wingett who says the new tower would rival the iconic Angel of the North statue.
He said the £9 million scheme would create 50 jobs, providing a gallery, bar, restaurant and language study centre as well as tourist information.
Following the concern about the colour Mr Wingett sought expert advice. It says although the bronze would weather in time, provided it was treated and waxed it should retain its bronze hue for at least 25 years.
But the expert said applying a red colour would make the dragon more noticeable. “The magnitude of impact would be considered to be unacceptable,” he said.
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If they are determined to go ahead with this scheme, I hope they ensure that it looks authentic.
If they need a model to copy, I’m sure my wife would be only too happy to pose, for a small fee of course.
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So it will stand out. So, a bit like a white horse carving then. These things are meant to be noticed, they’re landmarks.
This wouldn’t by any chance be the same expert who advised that the Angel of the North be painted blue so that as people drove by and saw it against the sky, it would not be noticeable and thus have no detrimental environmental impact, would it?
A Bronze dragon? That’s not Welsh! Surely a red dragon would be more appropriate as it would sit between the green grass and the white (well, greyish) sky and thus evoke the Welsh flag.
Expert advice? Save your large wads of money, Mr. Wingett – just slip me a £100 and I’ll write you a note saying that a bright red dragon would be more noticeable.
Dear me, next thing you know, the expert will advise painting the tower brown and the dragon green so that it looks more like a tree and blends in with the local forests.
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Nothing wrong with painting it red to make it more noticeable. What is wrong with people?
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Why don’t you fools spend the £9 million on helping the homeless, or spending it where it’s needed in communities than wasting it on a stupid statue?
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I’m glad someone said it! I’m fairly certain theres much better uses for the money than building a bloody dragon statue.
It sounds like just the kind of grandstanding, pointless, environmental improvement project shrewsbury town council would come up with.
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I love how the ‘expert’ on 200ft giant dragon statues is suggesting red would be too noticeable. Its a pointless tourist trap anyway, even if it was illuminous pink wearing a Burbury cap it would have no less meaning.
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Why is it the word ‘Expert’ always makes me suspicious ?.Who nominates these people as ‘Experts’ or is it just an ego out of control ?.
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This is bizare!!! Telford & Wrekin council are cutting jobs, affecting peoples livelihoods…..and here we are spending 9 million on statue, regardless who pays for it.
The world has gone mad.
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Just to clarify. Is the expert saying that if the 64 meter high dragon statue was painted red it would standout too much?
I agree, paint it yellow. That’s much more subtle, but for God’s sake don’t paint it green! If you do nobody would see it.
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I’m all for this. Yes, paint it bright red so as to remind people they’re about to cross into go’s country. Btw, ex-pert means, former; plus a drip under pressure.
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I wouldn’t worry about what colour it is.The wind will soon blow it over.Unless a hundred metre high cylindrical shield protects it.That would be beautiful.
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Let’s build this sucker big enough to be seen from space.
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This ghastly tasteless folly should have been binned when our economic bubble burst. An obscene waste when councils are making thousands redundant.
If it must go ahead lets at least have a bronze statue with real artistic merit not some bright red piece of tourist kitsch.
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fat chance of that. We are the generation that forgot about good taste. Fortunately it’s only the future generations that will really have to suffer for it.
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Will 40ft flames shoot out of its mouth and nostrils? That would be awesome. If they haven’t designed that into it then they’re missing a trick.
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I think it is a bit rich comparing it to the Angel of the North. I haven’t seen any work by Anthony Gormley that is not beautiful this is a bit tacky and tasteless much like the Darwin Gate in the Mardol.
I think the column looks promising but somehow the dragon is too Dr Who.
This is being funded privately and I think we should be grateful that in this land of super rich and most getting poorer, at least this bloke is promoting Wales and creating a tourist attraction from his own pocket.
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I am all for art in public places, but this looks a bit Disneyesque!
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I see the point,but isn’t it really about some councillors leaving their mark before they shuffle off this mortal coil?
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To all those complaining about public funds being wasted – none will be, because this will be an entirely private enterprise, funded by a mixture of private investment and donations.
In any case, I’m all for it. Can’t wait to see this thing towering over the A483.
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