Northumberlandia proposals submitted
by Pete Hayman | 06 Jul 2009
Plans for the creation of a new £2.5m landform, which will be the centerpiece of a proposed 29-hectare (71.7-acre) public park at Shotton, near Cramlington, have been submitted to the local authority.
Initial designs for the Northumberlandia scheme were drawn up by artist and designer Charles Jencks as part of the Banks Group's proposals for a surface mine development in 2006, which was eventually approved by the government. However, revised designs for the artform have now been drawn up by Jencks in partnership with the Durham-based developer and landowner Blagdon Estate, which will now go before planners at Northumberland County Council.
Around 1.5 million tonnes of clay and soil extracted from the Shotton surface mine site will be used to construct the Northumberlandia sculpture, which is to be one of the world's largest sculpted human form at 400m (1,312.3ft) long and up to 34m (111.5ft) high. Mark Dowdell, environment and community director for the Banks Group, said: "Our duel aims with Northumberlandia were to create an outstanding artistic landmark which stands alongside the region's other main tourist attractions and to provide high quality leisure facilities for the local community, and we believe this final design will succeed on both counts.
"As well as the artwork itself, the surrounding landform park will offer important nature conservation and public health benefits, giving both local people and visitors an ideal place to exercise, picnic and enjoy themselves." Euan Hall, chief executive of the Land Restoration Trust, which will manage the new park, added: "The aim of our organisation is to ensure communities benefit from green open spaces and Northumberladia will certainly provide significant community benefit and add to areas rich cultural landscape."
If approved, work is expected to begin in 2010.
Plans for the creation of a new £2.5m landform, which will be the centerpiece of a proposed 29-hectare (71.7-acre) public park at Shotton, near Cramlington, have been submitted to the local authority. Initial designs for the Northumberlandia scheme were drawn up by artist and designer Charles Jencks as part of the Banks Group's proposals for a surface mine development in 2006, which was eventually approved by the government. However, revised
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