One thing that we havent really discussed on here is the current Planning Application for the Alice Trail around Llandudno. This proposes to install '19 aluminium statues, most standing over 4ft /1.2 metres tall', around the town, together with 55 brass pawprints. Personally, I think the town's supposed links with Alice are vague at best and the only tangible remains (Penmorfa) were demolished a few years ago. As such, I'm not really in favour - cant we put all this money towards new pavements along Mostyn St instead?
I reproduce below an email from the Llandudno Hospitality Association on the matter, what does everyone else think?
There is a proposal to locate up to 19 aluminium statues, most standing over 4ft /1.2 metres tall.
They will be bronze coloured and more akin to a Disney type character than the original Alice white rabbit.
The statutes will carry a bar code which will link to an AP on a mobile telephone.
They will be located within the Conservation Area of Llandudno.
- Alice Trail Ltd is currently funded from public money that is our money!
Conwy County Borough Council 65K
Visit Wales 80K
Llandudno Town Council 7K
CYFENTER 43K
Alice Trail Ltd are already drawing down salaries from these funds.
LHA is not against the establishment of a digital trail featuring our town's link with Alice in Wonderland.
LHA has objected to this proposal on the following grounds;
-Cumulative impact within the street scene of Llandudno
-No sample materials or replica statue to be revealed to members of the CCBC Planning Committee prior to final decision making on March 12th
-19 statues adding to the street furniture in Llandudno are not necessary to create a digital trail. Other options can be explored.
-no guarantees regarding funding ongoing maintenance and repairs
- no guarantees of a sustained income if businesses do not pay annual sponsorship of the statues
Exaggerated Claims being made by Supporters.
The Trail will attract thousands of tourists?
The Trail will provide a year round attraction? Walking around our town through Nov to end of Feb calls for a robust tourist?
This Trail will not be all weather.
Alice Trail Ltd stress the income that tourism brings into Llandudno and the employment it generates. They claim 600m a year and 11K jobs.
Those figures are achieved and have been achieved without littering our elegant Victorian and Edwardian streets with inappropriate street furniture.These figures cannot guarantee that income.
The assertion that the proposal will grow those figures is speculative.
Here in Llandudno it is clear that our Victorian and Edwardian town attracts visitors.
LLandudno has not fallen into a steep decline like other seaside towns across the UK but is not immune from that decline.
LIttering what is left of the elegance of the Victorian and Edwardian street scene endangers Llandudno's unique selling point(USP)
We should be calling upon CCBC to work in the spirit of the Conservation Act which is to protect, preserve and enhance.