THE installation of a piece of public art on Ventnor seafront has hit a setback.

An application for a 'Tide and Time Bell', specifically designed for the town by international sculptor Marcus Vergette, has been withdrawn.

Despite widespread support for the project in the community, concerns have been raised with the application, leading to Venture South pulling the plans for now.

Linda Sullivan, chair of Venture South, said the application had been temporarily withdrawn while planning considerations were dealt with.

At its planning committee meeting in January, Ventnor Town Council said it could not support the application without seeing evidence from the structural engineer due to historical ground movement nearby.

In a comment to the Isle of Wight Council, the town council advised the application be withdrawn after questions had been raised about its location, health and safety and the effect of prevailing winds and storms.

One objector told the Isle of Wight Council it was a great idea but in the wrong location as there were residential properties nearby.

Another said they lived near the seafront and did not want to hear the bell ringing day and night. They said noise pollution was as bad as air pollution.

Another comment said the idea was amazing, however, and they were really looking forward to seeing and hearing it.

Planning documents say the bell would ring 'gently' at high tide, and be tuned to blend in with the sound of breaking waves, with a unique design for the town.

The bell was to be around 1.6m tall and located at the bottom of the steps next to the Rotunda Bandstand, between the high and low tide marks.

In its heritage statement, on behalf of the applicant, Venture South, Rainey Petrie Architecture, says it is hoped the bell will add to the development of the cultural scene in Ventnor by inserting a significant piece of public art into this unique and historic setting, with its strong and lasting relationship with the sea.