Madam,

The tree sculpture to be built on Borth beach after planning permission refusal was overturned, continues to divide opinion despite the positive comments of Inspector Richard E Jenkins of the Welsh Planning Inspectorate.

Since then there have been three letters of disapproval and a very interesting and informative comment by Patrick O’Brien, on the issue - ‘Threat to ancient roots, a new direction in battle over tree?’. Unfortunately, this column fails to laud the positive aspects of this installation. The use of the word ‘threat’ is an indication that feelings still run high, but I am sure it is not the intention of the artist to create a threat to the landscape, rather to enhance it.

It is more than likely that the Planning Inspectorate received far more appeal objections than support for the project. Does this not prove that the strength of the argument for it is greater than the argument against? So, if people are asking how such a decision can be allowed that flies so blatantly in the face of public opinion, perhaps they should look more closely at the issues involved and not get on a bandwagon. I see a parallel here with everything that the Green Party stands for. Members and supporters may be in a minority but it does not mean they are wrong.

Windfarms aren’t popular with some, but who would begrudge a relatively small area of excavated land for an installation that can produce some of the electricity we need in 20 to 30 years’ time when we are all supposed to be driving electric cars?

So it is with the Borth beach sculpture, now a very real prospect on the beach skyline. A tourist (five years from now), walking from the south, along the Ceredigion/All Wales Coast Path, passing the war memorial (totally unaware of the controversy) spies the tree whilst admiring the view and thinks, how intriguing that nature can allow a tree to survive in such a harsh environment.

The same tourist approaches the tree, now with the added interest of friends and/or family perhaps, realises it’s not real but is drawn into the fascinating history of the submerged forest and legend of Cantre’r Gwaelod.

For the objectors, apparently, there is one last hope in that the county council (which leases the beach from the Crown Estate) will decide the excavation will cause too much damage, but this is a vain hope and it’s questionable if they can stop it, now they have been overruled.

Like it or not, perhaps now is the time to get behind the project as a focus point to educate all on the historical significance of the submerged forest, a representation to highlight climate change and rising sea levels, a boost to the local economy and a chance to put Borth on the map with the inevitable media interest.

Yours etc,

Will Johnson, Ty Padarn, Aberystwyth.

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