Artist’s project to rebuild ruins is approved
Goldsworthy can finish his work in national park
A WORLD-RENOWNED artist has moved a step towards completing his most important work in the heart of a national park, despite fears it could damage the landscape.
Andy Goldsworthy’s Hanging Stones project involves turning existing buildings in varying states of disrepair, in Rosedale, North Yorkshire, into artworks and connecting them with a sixmile walk.
He has been allowed to rebuild five of the properties as part of the project funded by Carphone Warehouse billionaire David Ross’s foundation.
Now he has been allowed to rebuild five other ruined historic properties.
The North York Moors National Park Authority’s planning committee gave officers authority to approve the Yorkshire-raised artist’s project once a heritage assessment was complete.
The two-hour debate followed months of deliberations about the artwork.
The meeting heard Mr Goldsworthy, who is known for works created outdoors from natural materials found on-site, appealed for the scheme to be granted after a decision was postponed to develop a plan to manage volumes of visitors and to assess the potential impact of visitors on the valley.
Committee members heard the project had received widespread support among the global artistic community as well as from the majority of locals and some committee members murmured approval as they were shown photos of the completed Hanging Stones buildings.
Resident Paddy Chambers said residents of Rosedale will feel “justly proud” to host important art.
However, the authority’s director of planning Chris France said some of the ruins were in prominent positions and rebuilding them would represent new building in open countryside, harm the character of the landscape and dilute the special qualities of the national park, particularly tranquillity and a sense of remoteness. The meeting heard Mr Goldsworthy had pledged an archaeologist would be on site to advise whenever
A fantastic idea for re-using a traditional building.
Chris France, North York Moors National Park Authority’s director of planning.
digging would take place and insist that his project would conserve heritage and the landscape’s character.
Mr France added the project was “a fantastic idea for re-using a traditional building which is absolutely inspirational”, plans to restrict visitor numbers by a booking system would limit the environmental damage, the artwork would be on public rights of way, so any number of people could view it. Withstanding the environmental impact and concerns that farmers could argue they should be allowed to rebuild properties elsewhere if Mr Goldsworthy was permitted to, members said the economic and cultural benefits of the scheme were plentiful.
Jim Bailey, the park authority’s chairman, said the artwork would renew the character of Rosedale “in an exceptional way”.