A CONTROVERSIAL proposed art installation on Borth beach should be approved, a panel of councillors who visited the beach last week “unanimously” agreed.

A site inspection panel of county councillors and officers visited the proposed site of Tree, award-winning artist Robert Davies’ application to place a metal cast oak tree between Borth and Ynyslas, on Friday, 1 December.

The panel heard from objectors and supporters of the project, which has divided opinion in the village and further afield, and has recommended that fellow councillors vote to approve the sculpture at next week’s planning meeting.

A planning document read: “Following the public meeting the panel inspected the site in question and considered the impact of the proposal on the immediate area, the Special Landscape Area and the SSSI.

“Members of the panel were of the opinion that the proposal could be supported and that it would be of benefit to the immediate area and Ceredigion alike.

“The panel unanimously recommended that the application be approved subject to a S106 agreement in relation to its maintenance and subsequent removal.”

The recommendation is in line with that of officers’, who have suggested making the approval conditional on an agreement that Mr Davies will maintain Tree and remove it once consent has expired.