A GROUNDSWELL of public opinion is growing against a "wacky" modern sculpture proposed for Poole Quay.

It is not just the white piano on a pole with a propeller turning in the wind and playing quiet ethereal sounds that has raised anger, but its "insensitive" siting next to the lifeboat museum and US Coastguard memorial.

"To put a frivolous piece of modern art right alongside a memorial to the US Coastguard flotilla is just downright bad manners, disrespectful and thoughtless," said Douglas Cook, secretary of the Society of Poole Men.

Brian Woolgar, chairman of Poole East District Scout Council described it as "a nonsensical proposal".

He said: "This will completely spoil the ambience of the area and is, in my opinion, a defacement of the US Coastguard memorial."

A suggestion by ward councillor Chris Bulteel that a traditional statue of Baden-Powell should be erected instead appears to have struck more of a chord with residents.

He and Cllr Judy Butt are seeking support, a sculptor and funding to get the scheme off the ground, in honour of the man who held the first experimental Scout camp on Brownsea Island in 1907 and married his Lilliput bride Olave at St Peter's Church, Parkstone.

Mr Woolgar welcomed the idea of a Poole memorial to the man who started the world-wide youth movement, particularly as in 2007 there is a world jamboree with 40,000 Scouts visiting England, and many will go to Brownsea as the centenary of the first scout camp is celebrated.

Cllr Mrs Butt said it was right to honour Baden-Powell's achievements. "In comparison what are we actually celebrating with a plastic piano with a fan on the back?"

The planning application comes from the Borough of Poole arts development unit and arts development manager Nickola Moore acknowledged that contemporary art was controversial.

"We are using contemporary and modern and future-looking money and looking at the regeneration area and what we are trying to achieve there," she said.

Jem Main, Study Gallery director and agent for the application, said: "It's not disrespectful.

"It's quiet, white, above head height and in the light of comments we are proposing moving it 5-10 metres away from the war memorial."

The application is due to go to the planning committee on October 21.

First published: Oct 11