EBBSFLEET’S ‘WHITE HORSE’ TAKES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
The Ebbsfleet Landmark Project has today submitted Mark Wallinger’s ‘White Horse’ design to Gravesham Borough Council for planning consideration.
The Ebbsfleet Landmark Project was launched in January 2008 by the founding patrons: Eurostar; Land Securities; and London & Continental Railways (owners of High Speed 1). Following a competition between five world class artists and an extensive public engagement programme, Mark Wallinger’s ‘White Horse’ was confirmed as the winning design in January 2009. The project received worldwide attention.
Since that time, there has been significant further work completed on the technical development of the sculpture and feasibility studies in terms of safety and maintenance. The ELP Board is now ready to work with Gravesham Borough Council, as the local planning authority, to secure planning permission as the next stage in the process.
Stephen Jordan, chairman of the ELP Board said: "This is an important step on the journey for this ambitious project. We are all pleased to have made so much progress over the past few months Mark Wallinger has been working closely with us and his input has been invaluable. His concept is a technically challenging one but the response from the ELP team and founding patrons has been excellent."
The White Horse is to be sited at Springhead Park, adjacent to the new residential development that forms part of the regeneration programme in Ebbsfleet Valley being carried out by Land Securities. This site is also close to High Speed 1 and Ebbsfleet International where Eurostar has been successfully running high speed international service since November 2007. Southeastern’s popular high speed Kent to London train service has also begun using Ebbsfleet International on High Speed 1 since July 2009.
Gravesham Borough Council’s leader Cllr Mike Snelling said: "While I cannot pre‐judge
the results of a planning application to our independent Regulatory Board, this is an exciting project which has the potential to put Ebbsfleet on the map."
With the planning process now underway, the attention of the ELP Board will also focus on the financial challenges of the Project and fundraising.
No date has yet been announced for completion of the project.
For further information and images, please contact: Ben Ruse, bruse@lcrhq.co.uk / 07717 151 070