Pruners down tools over red tape in dispute over statue

Volunteers from Elloughton and Brough In Bloom raised £800 for the statue, which gained planning permission for installation in Brough in September.

But nearly three months on, they are still waiting for the go-ahead after being told by East Riding Council they need a licence – despite it going up in a council flowerbed.

Coleen Gill, chairwoman of Elloughton & Brough In Bloom, said they were downing their tools because they were fed up with red tape. She said they had even been told there was a danger of a bus running into the statue on Brough Crossroads – which will be on a 3ft plinth surrounded by shrubs.

Mrs Gill, who has tended the spot for the past 15 years, said: “There have been barriers all the way, even the planning permission came back three times. One officer initially objected on the grounds a bus might run into it, which is clearly ridiculous as this would apply to every lamp post in the county.

“We are just trying to make Brough look better with flowers and bring its history to life.”

A council spokesman said they had to “consider carefully the implications of any structure to be erected on the highway even where this involves land within a flower bed area”, adding: “The council is now in the process of finalising conditions which must be met before the statue can be erected and these will be discussed with the In Bloom Group within the next 10 days. “

The statue, created by the late sculptor Rodney Wilson, is meant to recall the town’s Roman past.