Monument to iconic South Yorkshire novel approved - celebrating Billy Casper and Kes

A MONUMENT paying homage to an author who wrote one of the most iconic novels about life in a South Yorkshire coal mining town has been approved.

Barnsley Council has officially granted permission for a free-standing piece of public art of the heroes of A Kestrel for a Knave — Billy Casper and his bird companion Kes — to celebrate the work of novelist Barry Hines close to his former home in Hoyland.

The council received planning permission on January 6 to commemorate the author, who was born and raised in Hoyland.

Hines’ novelwas adapted for the big screen for Ken Loach’s 1969 film Kes, which featured Rotherham-born Duggie Brown and Lynne Perrie.

The sculpture will be 6ft tall and made from “steel plasma”.

There is currently a blue plaque outside Mr Hines’ home informing people who he was and when he lived there.

Planning documents reveal the monument will “connect the story of Billy Casper and Kes” to show his “love of nature and connection with Hoyland Common”.