Views on Sculpture could be Astronomical

A main road 'gateway' into Stratford-upon-Avon could soon provide an unusual focal point if a huge landmark sculpture gets the go ahead. A half-buried Armillary - an ancient instrument that represents the orbits of the planets around the sun - is being proposed on a roundabout at the new Trinity Mead housing development off the Banbury Road.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is promoting the proposal to create wider public awareness and encourage feedback in advance of deciding whether to grant planning permission. The sculpture, if it goes ahead, will be funded by the developers of the new estate as part of the original planning agreement to provide money for public art in the Bridgetown area.

"The idea of this sculpture is to improve the appearance of the first, and last, sights seen by people entering and leaving the town," said Cllr Stuart Beese, the portfolio holder for planning.

"Although the district council has submitted the planning application for this proposal, we are keen to gauge public reaction which will be fed into the normal planning application process.

"We are working in partnership with the developers and Stratford Renaissance on this gateway, which we believe presents the town at its best and most memorable to visitors and residents.

"The armillary is based on the most significant discovery of the 16th Century by Nikolaus Copernicus, when he proved the earth moved around sun, and Stratford was the home of the most famous playwright of the 16th Century, so there is clearly a theme."

As well as creating a major international style landmark, if approved, the sculpture will mark the first ever festival of Shakespeare's Complete Works. The RSC's year-long festival, which will host visiting companies from around the world, launches in April 2006.

The proposals have been drawn up by The Renn and Thacker Partnership. Public consultation on the planning application lasts until 13 September.