Petition launched to save sea dragon display plan

A campaign to have a giant fossil known as the Rutland sea dragon brought to a local museum has been launched after plans for its display were shelved due to cost concerns.

The ancient ichthyosaur fossil was found buried beneath Rutland Water in 2021.

Rutland County Council had intended to display the 180-million-year-old marine reptile at the Rutland County Museum in Oakham as part of a £6m project, but has now decided it cannot go ahead with that part of the project.

Anglian Water, which owns the fossilised creature, said it was disappointed by the council's decision.

A petition has been started by the Friends of Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle, after the council said it could not afford to display and maintain the ichthyosaur at the museum.

In February, plans were firmly in place to sign over the fossil from Anglian Water to make it the centrepiece of the project, which also included a digital display of the ichthyosaur.

Lawrence Fenelon, chair of the Friends of Rutland County Museum, said the potential benefits of the attraction had been overlooked.

"We feel that the economic benefits haven't been taken into account," he said.

"This will bring in a lot more tourists, which can help revive the high street, which is in decline.

"The only way open to us was to go forward with the petition.

"Everyone that I've spoken to thinks this is a barmy decision. To have it at the museum would be a star attraction.

"The long-term future will either be damaged or in peril if this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is turned down."

If 1,500 people who live or work in the county sign the petition, the council will have to hold a debate on the issue.

Conservative MP for Rutland and Stamford, Alicia Kearns, said: "It's an enormous disappointment and I think that's reflected in the conversations that I've had with Rutlanders over the last few days.

"This was a real shock to me because I've been chasing this for months.

"If I'm honest, it's a punch in the gut when I look at what could be Rutland's future."

The county council failed in a bid to get £4.5m of lottery funding for the project in 2025.

A council spokesperson said: "Even after our bid for Heritage Lottery Funding was turned down in September, we allocated around £6m of council funding in our latest budget to take the project forward.

"Unfortunately, the economic outlook has worsened considerably in the past three months. The money we set aside in February for the museum and sea dragon display is no longer enough – inflation, supply chain and construction costs have all gone up.

"We are now facing added costs of £1m if we do not alter our plans – that's in addition to the £6m of council funding and £1.8m of Local Regeneration Fund money we have already committed.

"The demands on Rutland taxpayers are now too great and we cannot justify the risk to our wider budget."

"Unfortunately, the increased cost, liabilities and risks that come with conserving and housing the sea dragon are now much bigger, meaning Rutland County Council can no longer afford to acquire the fossil itself."

The council said it would deliver "exciting digital experiences" at the museum as well as creating a new cultural centre.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: "We're disappointed by the recent decision taken by Rutland County Council.

"The sea dragon is a nationally significant discovery and we're determined to play our part in ensuring it is preserved, celebrated, and shared for generations to come.

"Through our discussions with the council we'd made significant progress towards an agreement to transfer the sea dragon at no cost to the council for its acquisition, and we remain ready to build on that progress should the opportunity arise."

The firm said it would now look at other plans to celebrate and conserve the Rutland sea dragon.

"Working alongside the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, we will pursue the appropriate next steps, including an appeal to ensure the fossil can be conserved and ultimately displayed for public benefit, bringing this extraordinary discovery closer to the community where it was found," the spokesperson said.

The firm said that would involve the refurbishment and reinterpretation of the its Bird Watching Centre at Rutland Water, due for completion this autumn.

Additional reporting by Dan Martin

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