**Document:** Cathedral Sculptures Planning Statement **Application:** 14/00806/GB — Landscaping works in Cathedral grounds relating to the erection of three sculptures (in association with PA 14/00807/CON) **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2014-12-01 **Parish:** German **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/18984-german-st-germans-cathedral-derby-road-landscaping-works/documents/1175743 --- # Cathedral Sculptures Planning Statement Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Building Control Division, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SF 8th July 2014 Dear Sirs, Project: Application for Planning approval and Registered Building Consent for the erection of 3no. sculptures on Cathedral grounds At: Cathedral Isle of Man (St. German’s), Derby Road, Peel IM5 1HH I have pleasure in enclosing an application for the above scheme, which consists of the following: 1. Planning Application form (4 copies) 2. Building Regulation Consent form (3 copies) 3. Check List & Land Ownership Statements (1 copy) 4. Drawings as listed below:- (6 copies) - 0804G/01A - Location plan - 0804G/04 - Existing Site plan - 0804G/05 - Proposed Site plan 5. Architectural illustrations (6 copies) 6. Supporting information & photographs (6 copies) The Cathedral Trust is a registered charity (No. 1094) and is therefore exempt from a planning submission fee. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require additional information or wish to discuss any aspects regarding this application. Yours faithfully, Samuel T Samson BA. Dip. Arch THE WORKSHOP PARK ROAD PORT ST. MARY ISLE OF MAN IM9 5HQ TEL: (01624) 837545 samsondesigns@manx.net ## Cathedral Isle of Man – Proposed Sculptures ### July 2014 ### Existing Gardens The site plans show the locations of the proposed sculptures as well as the planting that has already been carried out in the gardens to the west of the Cathedral in preparation for the sculptures. The sculptures form part of the overall landscaping of the Cathedral grounds, as per planning approvals 11/00023/GB & 11/00024/CON, which will be carried out over the next couple of years. Generally, there has already been planting of formal hedging that follows the central circular memorial lawn with two ‘arms’ radiating off to the corners of the site. Informal planting beds have been created that surround the proposed Knockaloe sculpture. These planting bed are bordered by additional hedging to give a sense of enclosure. The planting work has only recently been carried out and it will be another couple of growing seasons before the full effect will be better appreciated. ### The Proposed Sculptures The proposal is to place three sculptures within the gardens that form a coherent story associated with the existing war memorial, and they are timed for the commemoration of the centenary of World War I. A brief description of each sculpture is given below and more detailed information of the design principles are provided in the appendix. ### Peace Poles The Peace Poles are located in the corners of the site radiating out from the war memorial. The poles are 3.75 metres high and will have a smooth natural Portland cement or stone finish. They will be illuminated during the evening by LED lighting from below and within the structure to give a subtle glow. There will be no external floodlighting that could cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties. The location of each pole backs on to the rear of neighbouring buildings and gardens (e.g. the Centenary Hall). The adjacent stone boundary walls are between 2 metres to 1.5 metres high. The poles are set within the existing trees and none are required to be felled or lopped as a result of the proposal. Set in these landscaped locations the poles, although of an unusual design, will not be overbearing or cause issues of privacy for neighbouring properties. ## Knockaloe Sculpture The Knockaloe sculpture is 3 metres high and constructed in stainless steel and mounted on a plinth housing ceramic tiles. It is located in the centre of four themed planting beds. The design of the sculpture and associated gardens has been an unique community collaboration between the sculptor, the Dean of the Cathedral, Ballakermeen High School and the IOM Prison. It has been jointly sponsored by the Cathedral and the Arts Council. It is appreciated that the sculpture will create an increased interest in that part of the Cathedral grounds, and there may be privacy issues with the neighbouring properties as there is only a low stone wall and railings along this part of the boundary. In anticipation of this, laurel hedging has already been planted along the boundary. The hedging has been moved slightly away from the wall and is broken up into sweeping curves so that it still provides screening but does not form a solid barrier. ## Cathedral Isle of Man - West Garden ![A photograph showing a grassy area with mature trees and a stone wall, likely depicting the Cathedral grounds mentioned in the application.](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525863.jpg) July 2014 Proposed location of Peace Pole 1 Photo1 – North west corner of the site and the rear of the neighbouring Centenary Hall. The window openings on the gable end of the Centenary Hall are blocked up. Proposed location of Peace Pole 2 ![A photograph showing a stone building with arched windows, likely part of the cathedral grounds, surrounded by a grassy lawn, trees, and a stone wall.](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525862.jpg) Photo 2 – South west corner of the site. The lines of the newly planted hedging radiating out from the War Memorial can be seen. Proposed location of Knockaloe Sculpture Photo 3 – The newly planted Knockaloe Gardens along the south west boundary ![A photograph showing a grassy area with mature trees and a sandy patch, likely part of the Cathedral grounds mentioned in the application.](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525864.jpg) ## Appendix 1 ### Peace Poles - Design Principles Two peace poles will form the termination of the two avenues (South West and North West) in the garden that radiate from the existing War Memorial. The Poles will have the traditional phrase written on them: 'May peace prevail on earth'. The Pole to the north might have 4 languages which might consist of languages that in their time have been thought of as global languages: Latin, French, Spanish and English. The pole to the south is to have 4 languages using Biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew), together with Manx and a major language of the east - Chinese. There are option to use many more languages e.g. ensuring one from each continent and Braille. Peace Poles were started in Japan in 1955 by Masahisa Goi, who dedicated his life to spreading the message, "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in response to the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Latin: Regnet Pax Omnem Per Terram, French: Puisse la paix régner dans le monde Spanish: Que la paz prevalezca en la tierra English: May Peace Prevail On Earth Greek: Εἰσχαμαι να επικρατήσει η ειρήνη στον κόσμο Hebrew: ישרה שלום עלי אדמות Manx: Dy row Shee er y Teihll This is the traditional translation of Chinese normally used on peace poles. We also have a new translation that modern readers of Chinese prefer. 我们祝愿世界人类的和平 Chinese: see website: www.peace-pole.com/translations_for_peace_poles.htm Each poles will be 3.75 metres metres high and constructed either with a smooth Portland cement finish or cut from Portland stone using a 3D stone cutter. The finish will be retained as natural and unpainted. Subtle lighting will be used in the evenings to illuminate the poles. This will be provided by LED lights around the base to shine up the structures. A translucent disc will be inserted into the head of the poles to prevent leaves falling into the structure. This disc will be illuminated by LED lighting within the poles to give a diffused lighting effect. The windows to the Centenary Centre have been previously blocked up. The existing trees are unaffected by the location of the sculptures. Stone boundary wall Recently planted hedging. Gravel or limestone paving strip. LEO 3.15 metres Grave Leathered Grave Leathered Leathered Leathered Leathered Leathered Leathered Leathered Grave ![drawing from page 8](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525860.jpg) ## Appendix 2 ### Knockaloe Garden Sculpture - Design Principles ## The Knocka oe Garden Sculpture Designed by Angela Patchett In collaboration with The Very Revd. Nigel Godfrey. Cathedral, Isle of Man. Ballakermeen High School Art Department The IOM Prison Sponsored by The Arts Council and Peel Cathedral Celebrating The Isle Of Man Year of Culture ## The 20th Century Garden Development, Cathedral, Isle of Man This garden looks at a period dominated by two world wars and a church having to come to terms with the unspeakable horrors of Auschwitz -Birkenau. The Isle of Man because of its geographical position was used as a place of internment. During the First World War Knockaloe, was the largest enemy alien internment camp in the British Isles Either side of this sculpture are two circular gardens divided into two hemispheres ![photograph from page 10](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525818.jpg) The gardens four gardens around this structure represent Genocide Each of the gardens features fables associated with the genocide, for example, the German garden is based on Little Red Riding Hood. (The Third Reich saw Little Red Riding Hood as representing the German people with the evil wolf representing the Jews). ## The Knockaloe Garden ### Central to the garden will be a Sculpture which commemorates One ‘enemy alien’ who today has a global reputation. ### The German born Josef Pilates Within the constraints of internment he invented exercises that are now used the world over. It is believed that the relatively low mortality rate in the camp was due to Pilates exercises for internees. ### And celebrated Art Noveau Artist ### Isle of Man born and bred Archibald Knox Who was employed at the camp as a censor The sculpture design incorporates a sense of movement associated with Josef Pilates and features celebrating the decorative artwork of Archibald Knox. ### Archibald Knox Born and raised on the Isle of Man and best known for his Celtic Revival style metalwork designed for Liberty & Co ![photograph from page 11](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525823.jpg) ![photograph from page 11](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525825.jpg) Also Art Noveau designs for fabric, carpets, and books. ## Josef Pilates Dedicated his entire life to improving his physical strength and mental well being through exercise and breathing techniques. ![A black and white collage featuring a central portrait of Joseph Pilates surrounded by smaller images of people exercising on Pilates equipment.](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525826.jpg) ## The Knockaloe Garden Sculpture Design Designed by Angela Patchett and sponsored by The Isle of Man Arts Council and Cathedral, Isle of Man Inspiration Enamel Brooch by Archibald Knox Pewter Box Pilates Logo Camp Wire Knockaloe Stamp Hand painted bricks created by Cathedral, Isle of Man Parish groups and Isle of Man Prison Art students, based on fables associated with each of the gardens surrounding the sculpture The Sculpture will be made of steel and will stand 3 metres high. It will have a brick base and a plinth housing ceramic tiles ## Artist’s Statement The Knockaloe Sculpture represents the power of: spiritual, physical and creative human endeavour. The design incorporates imagery relating to Joseph Pilates’ exercises and Archibald Knox’s designs intertwined with barbed wire as an emblem of Knockaloe. It celebrates the capacity of the human race to overcome barriers to peace and survival and alludes to a creative unity between captive and captor. From confinement, oppression and fear, artistic expression of body and mind emerges as both delicate and strong. Hand painted bricks featured on the base display designs based on fables from four different parts of the world which have experienced extreme genocide in the 20th Century. They mark the rebuilding of communities by those who have endured and survived such ravages of war during the 20th Century and represent the desired goal of a multi faith and multi- cultural global community. The sculpture plinth will include features created in community art workshops such as these ceramic tiles by Ballakermeen High School Students ![A collage of three photographs showing students or artists working on sculptures in a workshop, including close-ups of hands carving clay.](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/525866.jpg) ### Community Involvement The IOM Prison art class and volunteers from The Cathedral, Isle of Man Parish will hand paint bricks featuring designs based on fables associated with the four gardens surrounding the sculpture. The German garden is based on Little Red Riding Hood. (The Third Reich saw Little Red Riding Hood as representing the German people with the evil wolf representing the Jews. The Willow Pattern will represent the Chinese garden in memory of those who suffered in the 'East' Nanjing Massacre Prisoners create designs for the brick plinth based on the Willow pattern. ![A collage of photographs showing the artistic process and Willow pattern designs for a sculpture plinth, featuring prisoners creating artwork.](https://images.planningportal.im/2014/07/161643.jpg) --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/18984-german-st-germans-cathedral-derby-road-landscaping-works/documents/1175743*