Plan revived for bronze ormer shell sculpture on St Peter Port waterfront
- Planning application submitted to renew approval for 4.8-metre bronze ormer shell sculpture at Round Top Stores, St Peter Port
- Sculpture would stand near Victoria Pier, featuring polished interior and textured exterior finishes to replicate natural ormer shell characteristics
- Application by The Guernsey Ormer LBG seeks to revive previously approved consent that has expired, with no changes to original scheme
- Ormer is a traditional Guernsey delicacy and symbol of island's maritime heritage, making sculpture culturally significant landmark
- Period of exclusivity was first granted in October 2019
A planning application has been submitted to renew approval for a large-scale public sculpture depicting an ormer shell at the Round Top Stores site near Victoria Pier in St Peter Port.
The Guernsey Ormer LBG submitted the renewal application on 23 July 2026. The application, prepared by DLM Architects Ltd, contains no changes to the original approved scheme.
The proposed sculpture would stand 4.8 metres tall, including an 800-millimetre plinth. The artwork would measure approximately 2.8 metres wide and one metre deep, constructed entirely from cast bronze.
Designed to replicate the proportions of an ormer shell — a type of abalone that is a traditional local delicacy and symbol of Guernsey's maritime heritage — the sculpture features two distinct finishes. The interior surface would be smooth and polished to create a reflective finish replicating the characteristic mother-of-pearl texture found in natural ormer shells, whilst the exterior would have a rough, textured, patterned bronze finish mimicking the shell's outer surface.
The original proposal was made on behalf of Golden Guernsey Ormer LBG. Christopher Humber is the sole director.
When the project was approved in October 2019, South African Sculptor, Nic Bladen had been selected, with the intention of unveiling it early in 2023.
At the time, Mr Humber said he drew inspiration from the likes of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, or the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
The site was made available in Autumn 2018 as part of the States' Seafront Enhancement Area Programme and in October 2019 a period of exclusivity granted to Mr Humber for a plinth to display sculptures from world-renowned artists.
Alongside that, Atan was granted exclusivity to install al fresco dining, which is now open.
Q&A
Q: Where would the ormer shell sculpture be located?
A: The sculpture would be installed at Round Top Stores near Victoria Pier in St Peter Port, close to St Julian's Weighbridge, Lower Pollet, North Esplanade and North Plantation.
Q: How tall would the sculpture be?
A: The sculpture would stand 4.8 metres tall in total, comprising a 4-metre sculpture on an 800-millimetre plinth. It would be approximately 2.8 metres wide and one metre deep.
Q: What is the significance of the ormer to Guernsey?
A: The ormer, a type of abalone, is a traditional local delicacy and symbol of Guernsey's maritime heritage, making the sculpture culturally significant to the island.
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