A recently-approved seaweed sculpture in Scarborough Harbour is set to cost almost £80,000 according to the council.
The 3m-high sculpture by internationally renowned artist Paul Morrison, depicting Fucus Vesiculosus – Bladderwrack seaweed – is set to be erected on Scarborough’s East Pier and will cost around £79,000 in total.
The budget for the sculpture comes from Town Deal funding awarded to Scarborough in 2021 and includes maintenance and upkeep costs for 15 years after its installation.
The sculpture is part of the Wild Eye initiative initiated and managed by Scarborough-based environmental arts organisation Invisible Dust and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council.
North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for community development, Nic Harne, said:
“Wild Eye was chosen as one of the Scarborough Town Deal projects as it will boost the nature tourism economy in the town, whilst also creating experiences that can be enjoyed throughout the year by residents.
“Part of this is a 5.5-kilometre nature trail linking three key areas in Scarborough – Scarborough Castle, Marine Drive and the Cinder Track – through a series of exciting, thought-provoking artworks that connect people to the natural world.”
Two years ago Scarborough received £20.2m of Town Deal funding as part of a wide-ranging scheme for regeneration initiatives creating “improvements, sustainability, jobs, and skills in towns across the UK”.
The artwork is intended, amongst other things, to draw attention to initiatives such as SeaGrown Seaweed Farm located close by, according to the council.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Harne said:
“The seaweed sculpture in the harbour, designed by internationally-renowned artist Paul Morrison was selected following consultation with a local community advisory group.
“Wild Eye also held workshops with Scarborough-based artist Jacqui Barrowcliffe and local residents during the project’s development.”
The community development director added:
“From a budget of £1.4 million, the business case for the Wild Eye project states that it will realise economic benefits of £3.67 million, a return on investment of £2.54 million.
“It will also add to the attractions for tourists as part of the visitor economy across the county, which is worth more than £1.5 billion annually and employs 41,200 people.”
The erection of the sculpture on the Grade-II Listed East Pier was approved in July subject to a condition that after 15 years it can be decommissioned, de-installed, or kept in place.
Scarborough's Alpamare Waterpark Could Have New Owner by Autumn
Mixed Reactions To Sir Robert Goodwill's Appointment As Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership Chair
Smiley and Sad Face Speed Signs Set to Remain Banned in North Yorkshire
No Date For Delayed Opening Of Scarborough NHS Diagnostics Centre
Whitby Town Sign Promising Defender Stan Hewitt Following Bridlington Town Departure
New Owner Sought For Scarborough's Alpamare Water Park
No Redundancies Expected As Bridlington Care Unit Staff To Be Redeployed Across Local NHS
North Yorkshire Councillors Urge Mayor To Reconsider Highway Funding Reallocation
Scarborough Athletic Reveal Pre-Season Fixtures As Council Updates On Pitch Repairs
Anglo American Says Woodsmith Project Boosts Regional Economy By Nearly £2 Billion
Scarborough And Whitby MP Welcomes Red Diesel Duty Cut
Two Yorkshire Coast Councillors Appointed As Chair And Vice-Chair Of North Yorkshire Council
Comments
Add a comment