Awesome Ammonites draws a crowd
Public consultation event proves very popular
The recent public consultation event for the proposed Ammonite Pools lanform, proved so popular that extra seating had to be provided. 90 people came to hear the landscape artist Mick Petts describe his vision for a unique ammonite landform, what inspired him and how the spriral form is such an influential form in the natural world.
The talk was part of the feasibility study into the concept of the Ammonite Landform, being undertaken by the Cotswold Water Park Society, and funded by Natural England through Defra's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.
Local parish councils and other interested parties were invited along, plus a substantial representation from the general public, and the talk stimulated a great deal of questions and debate. Many of the practical issues surrounding the proposal have yet to be examined in detail, and it is planned that there will be further opportunities for comment and discussion towards the end of the study which has to be completed by the end of March 2009.
The site of the proposed sculpture, at Cleveland Lakes near Ashton Keynes, is already a successful site for breeding and visiting waterbirds, and the aim of this unique design is to enhance this habitat for greater numbers and varieties of waders, dragonflies and ducks. Public access will be along carefully landscaped paths, from which visitors will have views across the shallow pools, with the central focus being a spiral bird hide at the centre of the 900m landform.
If you would like to read more about the proposal, or send in your comments, please go to the Ammonites Landform page.
