Iconic A38 Orange Elephant removed after 'horrendous' vandalism

Exeter's iconic life-sized Orange Elephant landmark has been removed from the side of the A38 after being vandalised by a protestor.

The statue, which belongs to award-winning Orange Elephant Ice Cream parlour in Kennford, was graffitied with the words 'no dump' overnight between Sunday, December 8, and Monday, December 9.

The vandalism is believed to have been sparked by a hugely controversial planning application to create a landfill site and temporary recycling centre on 75 acres of green fields at Lower Brenton Farm in Kennford, owned by the Taverner family, makers of Orange Elephant Ice Cream.

They have condemned the vandalism as being 'horrendous and harassment', and are calling for people to voice their objections in a 'sensible' way.

Exeter-based earthmoving and plant hire company BT Jenkins is seeking permission to create a landfill for up to 700,000 cubic metres of construction waste, as well as an industrial scale waste crushing facility. The facility would replace BT Jenkins' Trood Lane landfill site at Matford in Exeter which has reached capacity.

The plans are temporary, with three phases each lasting two to three years, and afterwards the land will be returned to productive farmland. The plans, which have been on the table for three years, have been altered due to concerns raised.

The deadline for the official consultation period on the latest application is believed to have ended last Friday, December 6. A decision is due to be made by Devon County Council next February.

The Orange Elephant was given a mini-makeover only a month ago. It was removed from its usual spot at the end of October and then reappeared in November after being repainted.

The current statue has proudly stood near the junctions with the M5 and A30, since 2018. However, the first orange elephant, with a slide, appeared in the field in 2006. It was bought from the Little Chef restaurant at the top of Haldon Hill when it closed down.

It was then moved to a paddock play area for visitors to the ice cream parlour and replaced with the current statue.

Helen Taverner, owner, manager and ice cream maker at Orange Elephant Ice Cream, said: “We have reported the incident to the police and the elephant is being beautifully restored. What’s happened is horrendous and harassment.

"It is a symptom of the abusive rhetoric from a small minority of those opposed to the plans. We recognise there’s a difference of views on the plans and continue to welcome a sensible debate but this is not the first time we’ve had to involve the police.

"We ask everyone to let this be the moment we all take a step back and agree to conduct this debate sensibly and with respect for each other."

Protest group Residents Against The Landfill (RATL) has condoned the defacing of the Orange Elephant and says any protests should be carried out lawfully.

Mike Elliott, a member of the campaign group, said: "I have been involved with literally hundreds of local residents opposing the landfill over the past three years, and cannot imagine any of them condoning something like this, let alone being involved in such vandalism. Our campaign group has always strongly discouraged any expressions of personal animosity towards the Taverners, despite the strength of feelings in the local community.

"I am also at a loss as to why something like this would happen now. In the overall context of the application, there is no reason why anyone would want to draw attention to it at this time. We have been successful in justifying our opposition to the proposed landfill using rational arguments, and believe the application will ultimately be refused.

"Any action like this would be detrimental to our cause, and I’m sure would be condemned by all the local residents involved."

Police have asked for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: "Police were called following a report of graffiti being sprayed on the orange elephant landmark on the A38 in Kennford. The offence is believed to have taken place overnight between Sunday, December 8, and Monday, December 9.

"At this time, there are no viable lines of enquiry, however, if further evidence comes to light the incident can be re-visited. Anybody with information can contact police on 101 or via our website quoting 50240309757."