Giant dinosaur head on roof saved from extinction

A giant dinosaur head at the centre of a local row in a Scottish seaside village has been allowed to remain.

The light up sculpture was installed above an antiques shop in Cullen, Moray, last year.

Owner John Webb had a retrospective planning application refused as it was not in keeping with the area’s traditional appearance.

But Moray Council's local review body has voted, by five votes to three, that its benefit to the village outweighs any negative impact.

Local review body chairman Marc Macrae said: “The dinosaur brings people from near and far, and kids come from Inverness to see it.

“Local shops and local hotels are very much in support."

Councillor Derek Ross added: “I think many of us here have been accused of being dinosaurs.

“I’m giving a thumbs up to something I think will be an asset to the local community.”

But councillor Juli Harris said: "Surely something like a dinosaur head plonked on a building that is in disrepair does nothing to enhance the area?”

Mr Webb said he had installed the dinosaur head with the help of artist Jake Westlake in hope of cheering people up.

He said previously: "It's just a bit of fun. I thought I'd put a bit of art on it to make people happy and put a smile on their faces."

Reporting by Hazel Lawson at the Local Democracy Reporting Service.