Will the thistle sprout in Kingussie?
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Proposals to erect an almost four metre high sculpture of a thistle in Kingussie is set to go before Highland Council for a decision next week.
The south planning applications committee will have to make a decision despite the fact the final plan for the public artwork has not been presented yet.
Public opinion is divided over the matter after Kingussie Community Development Company (KCDC) tabled the plans for Gynack Gardens.
Some key questions remain unanswered by the application including what the final design is, how much it will cost, and who the sculptor would be.
The cash appears to come from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund but the total awarded to KCDC to redevelop the gardens was £10,350.
According to the council that cash was for further environmental improvements to the garden including new seating and fencing and the relocation of the roe deer sculpture among many other options.
A further £10,000 went to Kingussie Camanachd Club for the upgrade of the Market Stance Playing Field.
The council’s area planning manager south David Mudie said: “The submitted documents emphasise that a renowned Scottish sculptor is to be commissioned to design the sculpture.
“The final design has not yet been established, however indicative drawings outline that the sculpture is to be of a thistle design measuring approximately 3.9 metres in height.
“The materials are to be galvanised metal, utilising local recycled materials as far as possible. The sculpture will sit on top of a granite boulder which measures two metres in width by 0.7 metres in height.”
Though the plan has met with some support there are those who have been left scratching their heads by the idea and are against it to varying degrees.
Public consultations through an online survey of 158 people plus comments on social media revealed that less than half of those taking part support the scheme.
People were asked to rate how they felt about the plan going from 1 – Totally Disagree (25.3 per cent) to 5 – Fully Agree (40.5 per cent).
However, the results did not state exactly what the bands 2 – 4 represented and led KCDC to claim that: “Generally, there was strong support for a new art installation.”
The group said: “Many had views on different types of art or amendments to the proposal and the biggest portion (40 per cent) fully supporting the indicative design for the sculpture.
“That said a significant minority felt the space should be left empty for other uses. Art projects, by their very nature, create debate, discussion and can be contentious.
“That is why we are keen to create something that can cause people to stop, think and discuss.”
Due to the uncertainty around the eventual design council officers have included a clause that it must be approved by the local authority before it goes ahead.
So if it gets the go-ahead on Tuesday there will be a further round of contact with council officers to make sure the plans are appropriate.
Mr Mudie said: “No development shall commence until finalised details of the proposed sculpture design have been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Planning Authority.
“For the avoidance of doubt this shall include detailed elevational drawings and detail on final materials to be used. The development shall thereafter be undertaken in accordance with the approved details.
“Reason: As the design has not yet been finalised and in the interest of visual amenity.”
