CONTROVERSIAL plans for an Antony Gormley-style art installation on Borth beach could now be given the go-ahead after Natural Resources Wales withdrew its objection on grounds it could affect a threatened species of bird.

Councillors will now visit the beach, around half a mile north of the youth hostel in Borth, to inspect the site where Taliesin artist Robert Davies has applied to erect a metal cast oak tree.

NRW came under fire last month when it sent a last-minute objection to Ceredigion County Council’s planning committee over concerns for nesting ringed plovers near the proposed site, delaying the matter until last week’s meeting.

Ringed plovers are on the RSPB’s endangered red list.

Last week officers recommended approving the application subject to conditions after NRW withdrew its objection and gave its support for the installation, simply called Tree, if it was moved 20 metres to the south.

A site inspection panel, consisting of officers and councillors who will hear from the applicant and objectors, will now visit the beach before it is discussed again at next month’s committee meeting.

The project has been described as “like Marmite” — people either love it or hate it — by local member Cllr Ray Quant, with a split between those who believe it could boost the economy, and those who think it would look out of place or damage the submerged forest.

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