Art branded ‘disgraceful waste of money...’
THESE structures have been compared to Toblerones – with some residents of a South Wales village baffled as to what they represent.
The steel artwork at Ogmore by Sea was funded by tens of thousands of pounds from private housing developer Barratt Homes as part of an agreement when it was given planning permission under so-called section 106 conditions.
But questions are being raised as to whether the money would have been better spent on community facilities such as the village hall.
The community council and residents have lodged formal complaints with the county council, although the authority has pointed out it never received nor spent the money.
It added that public art is a requirement for housing developments and that it was the responsibility of the developer to carry out a consultation with residents.
Sue Lewis, a community councillor and Ogmore by Sea resident, said: “The installations are seen by most as ugly and inappropriate for their context.”
Describing them as “eyesores begging [for] vandalism and graffiti”, she added: “They provide no visual or recreational purpose to a community that has grown by over 50% in the last year and still has no play or social areas to speak of.
“It is seen as a disgraceful waste of public money.”
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, who has met residents including Mrs Lewis at the installation, said: “Section 106 contributions can be hugely beneficial to a local community, and a good way for residents to get something back if they have suffered disruption as a result of a development.
“But it is vital they are used in the most productive way – and that means having the community take part in the decision.”
A spokesman for the Vale council said: “Public art, which helps create a sense of identity and community, was a requirement of this development as part of a council policy that indicates a minimum 1% of such a project’s budget should be spent in such a manner.
“It was not a financial contribution that the council received or spent. In this case, the budget for the art installation was £68,000.
“Any consultation with the wider community was a matter for the developer, and the council would hope that such an exercise would be carried out.”
Steve Williams, managing director of developer Barratt South, said: “A planning condition is imposed on all developers building within the Vale of Glamorgan to provide public art to the value of 1% of build costs.
“We worked with an art consultant to identify suitable artists and the final concepts are submitted to the council for approval.
“Full liaison and engagement takes place with the local authority and they sign off and approve the art commission to allow it to proceed to fabrication and installation.”