Damien Hirst's giant pregnant woman to hit Ilfracombe North Devon councillors have been told they can have the Verity statue on loan for 20 years if they grant the necessary planning permission. As well as designing the work, Mr Hirst also owns a restaurant in Ilfracombe. The twon was recently in the news when Star Trek's William Shatner claimed that the town was full of prostitutes. He later apologised. The council documents state the applicant is an organisation called "for giving cic" - community interest company - which has made the application through planning agent Steve Clements. Mr Clements said he was not sure how personally involved Mr Hirst was in the scheme but confirmed that the Verity statue would be the artist's own creation. He added: "We've spent hours, days and weeks preparing this application. It is phenomenally exciting and unlike anything we have seen here before. I'm very hopeful it will get a lot of public support. The plans state the statue will create a 'focal point' at the pier and "highlight Ilfracombe's heritage - growing outwards from this harbour." It goes on: "The impact of a statue visible from many positions in Ilfracombe should give significant impact to the tourist industry upon which most of the town relies." Brian Greenslade, chair of Ilfracombe Regeneration Board, told the BBC it could have "huge potential for the regeneration of the town." "Its positioning should ideally be in a showcase location with visibility from within and around the town, and the location should seek to ensure maximum regeneration value for the town," he added. Mr Hirst was unavailable for comment.