A tiny window of opportunity before the ‘Another Place’ artworks were due to be shipped to New York in 2006 – there were just seven months to consult on and install the project – meant intense face-to-face negotiation.

Working docks, a leisure beach, a site of special scientific interest and natural hazards including sinking sand led to a raft of environmental, technical and safety studies, assessments and approvals, and widely differing wishes and concerns from stakeholders – all requiring addressing.

Case study on ‘Another Place’, by artist Antony Gormley, creator of the Angel of the North, a short term project designed to contribute to long term sustainability by highlighting a deprived area’s potential. The study highlights the processes involved in successfully ensuring that the project was able to go ahead despite numerous challenges.

Two formal requirements were focal points in resolving conflicting demands – Sefton Council’s planning consent for onshore issues and Defra’s Marine Consent Licence for offshore issues. The partners lodged full plans and mounted an exhibition in the local library and met over 30 environmental, safety, user and community groups.

Rod Yeoman, director of the South Sefton Partnership, notes that the meetings accommodated a vast range of perspectives, but despite differences and frustrations, strong working partnerships harnessed ‘a wealth of technical expertise’.

Each morning the tide draws back to reveal 100 iron figures, made from moulds of the artist’s body, standing to attention and gazing at the horizon, dotting the South Sefton coastline for 3km. Since installation visitor numbers have roughly doubled, businesses have reported a noticeable upturn in takings, and the area has seen a significant increase in positive media coverage.

Learning points include:

The local community and local businesses.

£150,000 funding from South Sefton Development Trust, South Sefton Partnership, Mersey Waterfront Regional Park, Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, Arts Council England North West, and The Mersey Partnership along with partnership working between these organisations and South Sefton Partnership.

South Sefton Partnership
Rod Yeoman (Director, South Sefton Partnership), tel. + 44 (0)151 285 5278

//2006

case

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

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