Readers of the Plymouth Evening Herald have voted to keep a controversial sundial in the city.

More than 60 per cent of readers said they did not want the city centre landmark demolished.

Since the paper revealed that the city council was considering replacing the sundial as part of a scheme to build a modern pavilion with bars and restaurants, it has been running a poll to gauge public opinion on the matter.

Controversial landmark

The paper posed the question, ‘would you be happy to see the Plymouth sundial scrapped as part of the re-development of the area?’

And more than 60 per cent of people questioned say they would like to keep the towering landmark.

Commenting on the result of the poll, Herald editor Alan Qualtrough, said: “The outcome is surprising, given the weight of public criticism against the Sundial when it was first unveiled.”

The city has plans to create a contemporary food pavilion in the area, as well as smart shops, a visitor information centre, outside seating, and new trees and an exhibition space.

Architects from across Europe are to be asked to submit their designs for the building but the brief from the city council and Plymouth City Centre Partnership says the Sundial could be replaced by a new ‘vertical feature’.

The decision on the fate of the Sundial will depend on the design chosen for the new pavilion – and the public will be consulted before a shortlist is drawn up for councillors to vote on.

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