A FUTURISTIC landmark tower has been given the go-ahead to be installed in Rotherwas.

The Skylon Tower, which will be 46m-high and 3.5m-wide at its mid-point, was given full support by councillors on Herefordshire Council's planning committee.

It will be placed on the south-east corner of the Rotherwas Access Road at the junction with Straight Mile in Hereford's 100-acre enterprise zone, Skylon Park.

The meeting heard it will be a contemporary reflection of the original structure, which was built for the 1951 Festival of Britain.

That structure was 90m-high and made in Hereford by the Painter Brothers, before it was taken to London and sat by the River Thames until it was removed in 1952.

Neil Kerr, the vice chairman of the enterprise zone, told the meeting that the zone is 40 percent sold or committed.

He said: "Our challenge is well on the way to achieving it goals. It is time for the old Rotherwas industrial estate to really become the new Skylon park."

He said it will be a high-quality landmark feature for the city in an area which would otherwise be wasteland. It will be funded by the private sector.

Cllr Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes, speaking on behalf of ward member David Summers who was unable to attend, said the structure will recognise the importance of engineering to Herefordshire.

She said: "What's not so well known is Herefordshire has been at the centre of engineering and fabrication since the 1920s."

Concerns had been raised that the site is only 0.51km from the grade 2 listed Rotherwas Chapel and the site of Rotherwas House (a scheduled monument).

But planning officer Edward Thomas said the conservation and ecological officers said the tower would have only a slightly adverse impact.

Cllr Bruce Baker said he believed the tower would become a heritage asset in the future.

He added: "We have also heard about people complaining about this interfering with their view. If I was working there or living close by I would be complaining that I couldn't see it."

He said it was one of the most exciting planning applications he had considered.

One objection was received from Lower Bullingham Parish Council which said the tower is out of character for the area and does not reflect the Rotherwas industrial heritage.

Cllr Anthony Powers asked how the tower would be lit at night time.

Mr Thomas said there would need to be a condition attached with regards to lighting.

The area around the structure would also be a public space.