A striking art display warning of the dangers of accessing military land has been granted permanent planning permission to remain on the edge of Salisbury Plain Training Area in Westbury.
The display, consisting of 29 silhouettes, including three 10ft ‘giants’ modelled on local soldiers, was originally installed by charity Standing with Giants in the summer of 2024.
Initially planned as a temporary art piece, the installation promoting the MOD’s Respect the Range safety campaign, has proved to be incredibly popular. Images of the giants have regularly appeared across social media as the public visit what is fast becoming a valued landmark in the area.
The MOD has been working closely with Westbury Town Council to secure permanent planning permission for the installation. The display will be gifted to the council so the giants can continue standing proudly to share the Respect the Range campaign’s important safety messages to locals and visitors for years to come.
Lt Col Andy Hough, Regional Commander of the Defence Training Estate in the South West, said
We’re delighted that the giants are to stay at Westbury. It’s been a great collaborative effort with Westbury Town Council to secure this result and we’d also like to thank our industry partner Landmarc Solutions for their ongoing support with the project.
The giants carry with them important safety messaging that we hope people will take on board when in and around the military training estate at Salisbury Plain.
Military training can take place at any time of day and night across the year and, with heightened tensions across the globe, it’s important our armed forces can train uninterrupted and that we work with the public to keep each other safe.
Deborah Urch, Westbury Town Council Town Clerk said
There was real excitement when the giants were unveiled last year and it’s fantastic to know they’ll be staying. They have really added something special to the area and local residents I’ve spoken to feel a real sense of pride in them.
We have a strong relationship with our military, and we’re delighted that we’re able to support them by continuing to promote this key public safety message.
Dan Barton, CEO Standing with Giants said
It’s always humbling when your artwork is so keenly adopted by local residents and talked about with such enthusiasm. Our ethos has always been about respecting what our military have and continue to sacrifice for our freedoms and we’re delighted that this piece of art will be staying in Westbury, adjacent to such an iconic military training area.
Two thirds of the MOD’s land is used for military training, which is vital to ensure the UK’s Armed Forces are ready to deploy on operations.
Across the UK each year, thousands of incidents are recorded of the public accessing MOD land when and where they shouldn’t, posing a serious safety risk and often impacting on the training taking place.
Respect the Range The Salisbury Plain Giants – YouTube
The public are reminded that they should only access military training areas when and where it is safe to do so and should exercise caution at all times. To help keep themselves and their loved ones safe, the MOD is asking the public to follow these simple steps
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Look out for red flags and observe all signs and information
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Check live firing online at Gov.uk before visiting a military training area
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Stick to footpaths, bridleways, byways and Public Rights of Way
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Keep dogs under close control and pick up after them.
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Never touch any military debris (UXO), report it for safe removal
For further information visit https//www.gov.uk/guidance/safe-access
