'Baa baa black sheep' roundabout barred over 'nonsensical' highway safety fears

Plans for a giant steel sheep sculpture on top of a roundabout have been rejected by a council in East Yorkshire (Picture: Peter Naylor)

Plans for a roundabout topped with a ‘three bags full’ sheep statue have been scrapped over fears reckless drivers could use it to launch their cars into the air.

Council officials refused permission to erect the metal structure near a housing estate in Beverley,East Riding of Yorkshire,over concerns it would compromise highway safety.

The scheme,proposed by developer Risby Homes,would have seen the sculpture sit on three steel bags of wool in an apparent homage to the popular nursery rhyme and would have been lit up at night.

Planners were told the distinctive ‘Three Bags Full’ roundabout would have served as a ‘Welcome to Beverley’ while reminding visitors of the area’s agricultural heritage.

However,residents dashed the plans,saying they didn’t represent the area,which is known primarily for cattle farming.

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Their concerns were backed up by the local authority,which pointed out the monument’s gradient could act as a ‘take off’ ramp for reckless drivers.Planning officers also concluded that the eye-catching structure was likely to distract drivers’ attention and obstruct their vision while circling the roundabout,adding that the tall design would be inappropriate for the surrounding area.The council’s transport planning department also echoed fears,warning that the steel feature could encourage pedestrians to cross several lanes of traffic to get a photo opportunity.The planned structure,near a housing estate in Beverley,would have been made of corten steel and illuminated at night (Picture: Peter Naylor)A letter explaining the planners’ decision read: ‘The structure could also pose a physical hazard,with the potential to cause serious injury to road user,particularly cyclists and motorcyclists,or to be struck by,or itself damage,abnormal loads.’The unusual concept was conceived by Paul Naylor,who also designed a memorial for fisherman who lost their lives at sea in the port of Hull.Formally known as the Regiment Roundabout,the traffic island was developed last year as part of the £86 million Jock’s Lodge link road project.One resident,commenting on the proposal,branded it ‘absolutely ridiculous’.‘Furthermore the area is mainly arable with some cattle,so sheep are at best irrelevant’,they added.Risby Homes director Mark Barrett called the council’s reasoning ‘nonsensical’ adding that there were plenty of examples of ‘this sort of thing’ across the country.Sculptor Mr Naylor said he was disappointed by the ruling and the ‘daft spurious objections’ which led to it.He told the Telegraph: ‘It’s meant to be a fun,family-oriented,‘welcome to Beverley’ sort of sculpture but they just want it off the desk.’Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at .