Green light for colliery sculpture
Date Published : 13 May 2009
Planners have given the green light to plans to create a coal mine pit head on the site of an old colliery as part of a £40,000 scheme of public artwork.
A 40-foot high representation of winding gear is set to be built as part of the Walsall Council scheme to regenerate Walsall Wood.
Planning permission has been granted for the piece to be built at Oak Park, off Lichfield Street.
Michael Tichford, Walsall Council assistant director for regeneration, said the scheme would provide a landmark for the community.
He said: “We’ve wanted to build a landmark piece of art in Walsall Wood for some time.
“It’s a very busy route into Walsall and we want people to realise they are passing through a community that really was shaped by the mining industry.
“It’s forward looking and not stuck in the past but very keen to acknowledge it’s roots.
“The great thing about this scheme is that the ideas have come from people who live in the community. This is about us listening.”
An agreement is being sought for the maintenance of the piece before it can take shape.
Four other pieces of public art are being designed by artists from Industrial Heritage Stronghold for the Walsall Wood area.
A sculpture of a miner is planned as well as life size steel and copper figures based on real life personalities from the town.
A plaque and a sculpture of a fisherman are also proposed.
The project is part of the strategic corridors and gateways programme which aims to brighten key road links through Walsall.
The original mine head was demolished in the 1960s with mining booming in Walsall Wood in the 19th century.
Contact us
For more information about the project contact Walsall Council regeneration officer Matt Potts on 01922 652495 or email pottsmatt@walsall.gov.uk.
