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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.听

The display, consisting of 29 silhouettes, including three 10ft 鈥榞iants鈥� modelled on local soldiers, was originally installed by charity Standing with Giants in the summer of 2024.听听

Initially planned as a temporary art piece, the installation promoting the MOD鈥檚 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.听听

The MOD has been working closely with Westbury Town Council to secure permanent planning permission for the installation. The giants will continue standing proudly to share the Respect the Range campaign鈥檚 important safety messages to locals and visitors for years to come.听听

Lt Col Andy Hough, Regional Commander of the Defence Training Estate in the South West, said:听听

We鈥檙e delighted that the giants are to stay at Westbury. It鈥檚 been a great collaborative effort with Westbury Town Council to secure this result and we鈥檇 also like to thank our industry partner Landmarc Solutions for their ongoing support with the project.听听

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.听听

Military training can take place at any time of day and night across the year and, with heightened tensions across the globe, it鈥檚 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:听

There was real excitement when the giants were unveiled last year and it鈥檚 fantastic to know they鈥檒l be staying. They have really added something special to the area and local residents I鈥檝e spoken to feel a real sense of pride in them.听听

We have a strong relationship with our military, and we鈥檙e delighted that we鈥檙e able to support them by continuing to promote this key public safety message.

Dan Barton, CEO Standing with Giants said:听听

It鈥檚 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鈥檙e delighted that this piece of art will be staying in Westbury, adjacent to such an iconic military training area.

Two thirds of the MOD鈥檚 land is used for military training, which is vital to ensure the UK鈥檚 Armed Forces are ready to deploy on operations.听

Across the UK each year, thousands of incidents are recorded of the public accessing MOD land when and where they shouldn鈥檛, posing a serious safety risk and often impacting on the training taking place.听听

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:听

• Look out for red flags and observe all signs and information听

• Check live firing online at Gov.uk before visiting a military training area听

• Stick to footpaths, bridleways, byways and Public Rights of Way听听

• Keep dogs under close control and pick up after them.听听

• Never touch any military debris (UXO), report it for safe removal听

For further information visit: 听