DESIGNS for a timeline walk through Kendal depicting the history of the universe from the big bang to the 'creation of man' have failed to impress the artistic sensibilities of planners.

The planning application from Kendal Town Council for their Golden Jubilee project attracted considerable scorn at the latest meeting of South Lakeland District Council's planning committee.

The designs show a coloured tarmac line running from Miller Bridge to Nether Bridge with five plaques set in the footway made from materials including rocks, pebbles and aluminium with a 30cm cube marker beside them explaining each stage.

A walker would encounter the plaques and cubes, each known as a station, aptly starting with, number one, 'the beginning' showing a crack of lightening bisecting a cloud.

Number two shows 'our solar system, five billion years ago' with the planets round the sun, the next depicts 'Earth - blue planet, 30 billion years ago' followed by a dinosaur print surrounded by fossils and finishing up with a plaque that reads 'two million years ago, mankind was created'.

The pictures show a Michelangelo-style finger pointing and a skull below it.

In a letter of objection to planners, Dr John Satchell, of Kendal Civic Society, complained that the scheme should focus on the history of the auld grey town and not the planets.

"Above all members were at a loss to understand why the history of the universe should be considered an appropriate theme for Kendal or for the celebration of the Queen's jubilee," wrote the eminent local historian.

He offered the services of the society to the town council to come up with a timeline depicting key events in Kendal's history, including the building of the castle, the rise of the weaving industry and the development of the yards.

The civic society particularly objected to the dinosaur footprint "with its Disneyland associations' and "the idea of the creation of man which is contrary to accepted evolution theory".

Speaking up for the proposal, town council clerk Hugh McClorry urged councillors to put aside objections to the design which were not a planning issue and stressed that dates in Kendal history could be incorporated into the timeline.

Meanwhile, SLDC director of development Peter Ridgway was at pains to point out that it was not for planners to judge artistic merit but asked councillors to decide whether the scheme would enhance the conservation area.

He said he had "cause to doubt that it would enhance the riverside walkway".

Mr Ridgway raised further concerns that the dates on the timeline were wrong and that the project should be done in consultation with the proposal to develop K-Village which had included plans for public art to link the site with the town centre.

The plan was refused by three votes to two with over half the 12-strong planning committee choosing to abstain.

The man behind the designs was Ken Johnston, a carpet designer from Kendal firm Goodacres who has created prestigious floor coverings for venues including the Palace of Westminster and the US Library of Congress.

Speaking after the meeting he stressed that the designs were rough "thumbnail sketches".

"They didn't look splendid I will be the first to admit it, but nobody should look at a work in progress and cast judgement."

The 51-year-old designer particularly rejected accusations of 'Disneyfied designs': "If my work is Disney at all then the Queen is happy and the US Government are happy with it."

Kendal Mayor Avril Dobson said town councillors would be meeting with planners soon to discuss their next step.

She added: "If anyone outside Kendal Town Council thinks it is going to put something in for the town that is detrimental I don't know where they are coming from.

We would not do anything that would be harmful for the town."