Giant 'human' chessboard sparks HUGE row in Welsh village
A GIANT "human" chessboard being built in the historic Welsh village of Portmeirion has led to a row between residents and owners.
Neighbouring residents have protested the 'human' chessboard built in Portmeirion
The black and white checked board was dug into a lawn as tribute to the cult 1960s TV series The Prisoner which was filmed in the North Wales village.
Each year fans of the series visit to re-enact the game of human chess as part of Festival No 6 held in the quirky seaside beauty spot.
But neighbouring residents objected when the annual temporary chessboard was replaced with a permanent one with black and white tiles each 4ft square.
The charity which runs the village says the new board can beat the weather because the land "often gets wet and muddy".
The chessboard was dug into a lawn as a tribute to TV series The Prisoner
Fans visit the village every year to re-enact the game of human chess
But nearby residents raised objections to the chessboard by saying it is "out of character with the area and the listed buildings".
There is historical evidence to support the proposal
Planners at Gwynedd Council tasked with settling the dispute ended the stalemate by allowing the human chessboard to stay in the Italian-style village built by eccentric Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975.
A planning report said: "There is historical evidence to support the proposal, and also in relation to the design and materials which can be seen in other parts of the site.
The neighbouring residents objected when the temporary chessboard was replaced with a permanent one
The strange sport of Chess Boxing
"A number of objections were also received in relation to the television programme The Prisoner and due to the fact that the chess board was part of the programme there is no justification for it."
Councillors later agreed to give it backdated planning permission for the giant human chessboard to stay.