The Headington Shark nominated as National Treasure

October 12, 2009 by Baby Chums
Filed under: Weird

headington_shark The 25ft, 23 year old Headington Shark is Oxford’s most bizarre work of art and the cause of some controversy. However, the shark has been nominated as an Icon of England on the website icons.org.uk, (The Institute of Conservation) which is supported by Sir Paul McCartney.

In 1986 the shark was placed on to the roof of BBC radio Drivetime presenter Bill Heine’s house and is now in the running with other national icons like the Tower of London, the Oak Tree and the Black Cab to make the final list.

Mohammed Altaf-KhanHe Oxfordshire county councillor for Headington said: “I know that a lot of people now come to Headington just to see the shark, which has got to be good for the area.

“It doesn’t really disturb the residents living nearby and has now become an important part of the area.

“I would certainly say it is an iconic piece of work.”

He continued: The shark could prove a, “significant attraction”.

Bill Heine never obtained planning permission for the sculpture, at the time described as a call for nuclear disarmament and he battled over a number of years to keep it, even taking the shark, “issue” to a public inquiry.

His appeal for planning permission was eventually granted by the then Secretary of State for the Environment, Michael Heseltine.

Mr Heine was unavailable for comment.

Comments or to vote whether the Headington Shark is an icon here; http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/headington-shark?sortcriterion=Date&order=reverse