The
proposal to create a landform public park,
designed by the architect Charles Jencks in the
shape of a recumbent female figure, is an attempt
to provide a tangible, early and permanent
benefit for south-east Northumberland. It will be
given free to charity once completed and made as
accessible as possible to all people.
It is hoped that Northumberlandia will become an
attraction which will bring visitors to the area
generating new support businesses and income.The
finalised design for Northumberlandia has been
submitted to Northumberland County Council and
work is expected to commence in 2010.
Blagdon Estate is pleased to
be able to contribute to this project
which we believe will have positive benefits
for the region.
the estate has played an active
role in the development of the local
community for over 250 years.
Northumberlandia is a unique opportunity
which will provide an exciting public facility
for future generations.
We are fortunate to have
such a distinguished designer in Charles
Jencks who has a world wide reputation and
his previous landforms have attracted universal
acclaim. Having worked closely with the banks
group over many years, we have confidence that
they will be able to successfully deliver
this project,. The project team have done a fine
job to date bringing the concept to life.
we feel that key issues
include sustainability and physical use.
We hope that this remarkable
structurewill become a popular destination,
both regionally and nationally.
The sculpture will include
many footpaths offering interesting views
which will change with the seasons, and the time
of day.
There are plans for a perimeter
path, leading to more challenging routes
onto and around the sculpture, these can form the
beginning or end of extended walksplanned
for the restored mine
area.
Blagdon currently welcomes
many walking groups to our existing public
and permitted footpaths, I am sure that these
groups will welcome this new area to explore.
Some of these groups form part of local health
initiatives encouraging a general increase in
exercise activities, we hope that
Northumberlandia will encourage more people to
exercise in a unique location.
The Estate is keen to ensure
that future management of the park will
work with local partners both to maintainand
allow development of the park in a
dynamic way.
We have widely consultedwith
experts including representatives fromtourism
and other local interested authorities, in an
attempt to produce a facility which will benefit
south east Northumberland, and complement
existing attractions.
We feel that
Northumberlandia is a bold and exciting
exampleof a public facilityprovided by
the private sector, and look forward to
the commencement of construction, which marks
only the start of a project with extraordinary
potential.
The project team is
currently in discussions with the Land
Restoration Trust in relation to the future
management of the park.
Visit www.northumberlandia.com
for more information.
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