Kentish Express Ashford & District
Suggestions wanted for public art at Lakes site
Expect the unexpected at country park and housing estate
Consultants are searching for inspiration to commission new public art for a housing estate and country park.
Artist Kerry Lemon has been brought in for the project at Conningbrook Lakes off Willesborough Road, where the Julie Rose Stadium stands.
The 31-acre former quarry site will be home to a country park and 300 new homes being built by developers from the Clarion Housing Group and Chartway Group.
Now consultants from FrancisKnight want the public to give their ideas and suggestions for the public artworks which will then be presented to Ashford Borough Council.
Council open space planning development officer Emma Powell said: “We are committed to creating high quality public open spaces and public art plays a key role in achieving this aim. We are excited to be working with FrancisKnight and Kerry Lemon, who both have a proven track record Artist Kerry Lemon will be creating public art pieces at Conningbrook Lakes in delivering unique public art of quality and interest.”
The country park will contain watersports on the lakes such as sailing, kayaking and swimming.
The housing estate will contain two, three and four-bedroom houses, with the first set to be put on the market early next year.
The public artworks around the area will be completed by Kerry Lemon, who has completed pieces for the BBC and the National Trust.
She said: “Conningbrook Lakes is a beautiful habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals, rich with inspiration for any artist.
“I look forward to meeting and talking with local residents to explore the potential for public art on the new development and country park.”
Chartway Group’s head of planning Kathy Putnam said the artwork will help give the development a “strong sense of identity” and something “unexpected”.
There will be a community engagement day at three venues on Friday, October 6. The first is at the Conningbrook Lakes shelter from 2pm to 3pm, then the second is at the Julie Rose Stadium from 3.30pm to 5pm, and the third is at the Kennington Women’s Institute Hall in Faversham Road from 6pm to 8pm.