The statue at the centre of the Piper Alpha memorial gardens in Aberdeen has been granted designated status following a row over proposed changes to the wider rose garden site.
The bronze memorial sculpture of three figures representing the oil platform’s workers, designed and created by Artist Sue Jane Taylor, has been listed at Category B by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
Meanwhile the gardens themselves are being added to the Inventory of Gardens and Designated Landscapes, which means that status will need to be accounted for in planning applications for changes.
It comes after HES was brought into a dispute over the future of the rose garden and statue.
The row broke out after charity Pound For Piper put forward plans for an overhaul of the gardens in the west of the city – this did not include any alterations to the statue itself.
But survivors and the families of some of those killed in the 1988 offshore tragedy objected to the change.
Now, following a public consultation, HES has made its decision.
Dara Parsons, head of designations at HES, said: “The Garden and Memorial are important sites of public commemoration and memory that connect people and communities to the enduring legacies of the Piper Alpha disaster.
“Designated status for these sites means that their cultural significance will be taken into account in future decisions about their management.”
Lib Dem Councillor for Hazlehead Martin Greig said: “This is a welcome decision that recognises the importance of this special monument.
“It is a very moving and emotional location so it is good to know that the protection will help to ensure the site is looked after and treasured.”
The Piper Alpha tragedy is the world’s worst offshore disaster. The oil platform, located in the North Sea 110 miles north-east of Aberdeen, was destroyed on July 6 1988 by a series of explosions that caused major fires.
A total of 165 workers onboard Piper Alpha were killed. Two crewmen from the MV Sandhaven also died during the rescue attempt.
An earlier version of this article mentioned proposed changes to the “memorial”. This has been amended to reflect there are no plans, and have never been plans, to alter the statue.
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