MAJOR plans have been submitted for a new 100ft monument to be built at the Scotland-England border.
The massive landmark is set to be located near Gretna Green, and aims to celebrate the area for being a “gateway” between the two countries.
The new monument is set to be located near Gretna Green[/caption]
It is hoped that the new structure will help boost the economy[/caption]
The new artwork is called the Star of Caledonia and was designed by Cecil Balmond OBE over a decade ago.
According to BBC Scotland News, Cecil won a competition to design the huge structure in 2011, but building work was never started.
At the time, the team managed to secure planning permission but quickly ran into financial problems which stopped it from being built.
But the plans have now been backed by CWP Energy, a wind farm firm, as the Star of Caledonia Trust tries to get the public element of the costs.
The new plans have revised some of the designs of the original project, including making it smaller.
When it was first proposed, the steel structure was set to be 120ft (40m) high, but the new plans ahve brought this down to 100ft (33m).
The project is not just about a landmark sculpture but as a catalyst for tourism, local economies, and community pride
Lucy Houston
But it will still have bright LED lights that will easily be seen by those crossing the border.
The cost of the new project is expected to be around £10million, which is up from an early estimate of around £4million.
And it is also set to include a visitor centre, which is hoped to attract up to 250,000 visitors a year.
It is hoped that the new structure will help boost the economy and will have a similar success to the Angel of the North in Gateshead.
The idea for the project first emerged in 2001 after the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
Lucy Houston, who chairs the Star of Caledonia Trust, revealed that the team are hoping that construction to erect the massive monument will start next Spring.
According to BBC Scotland News, she said: “I am delighted that the Star of Caledonia has reached a milestone on its very long journey, and I am relieved to see it move to planning in memory of my late husband Alasdair Houston.
“As a trust, we are working very hard behind the scenes, pulling together feasibility, revenue and business models.
“We are planning to start construction next spring, with a 12 to 15-month build – meaning that the Star of Caledonia will be up and open in spring 2027 – a full 25 years after its original conception.”
Lucy added: “We are excited to see the Star of Caledonia get a new home.
“The project is not just about a landmark sculpture but as a catalyst for tourism, local economies, and community pride,”
Managing director at CWP Energy, Rod Wood, also said that the firm is “heavily invested” in Dumfries and Galloway with its wind farms.
But he added that they are now proud to have a role in the Star of Caledonia which would “stand for generations”.
Official plans have been submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council and will be considered by officials at a later date.
The cost of the new project is expected to be around £10million[/caption]
it is set to include a visitor centre, which is hoped to attract up to 250,000 visitors a year[/caption]
