The Sleeping Legionary, designed by artist Louis Smith, would be installed near Fairlands Farmhouse in Fairlands Valley Park, with a decision due from Stevenage Borough Council’s Planning and Development Committee on Thursday, June 4.
The project is budgeted at up to £48,000 and paid for by the Town’s Fund.
Louis Smith, the artist behind the piece, said: “Stevenage lies along the route of Ermine Street – the Roman road that once connected London to York.
“While there is no clear evidence of a large Roman settlement, the Six Hills tumuli are powerful physical reminders that this landscape was deeply significant nearly 2,000 years ago.
“The story behind the piece imagines a group of Roman soldiers leaving the road at night and setting up camp among these burial mounds, unaware of exactly who lies beneath them, but comforted by their presence.
“This mixture of known history and mystery is central to the work.”
Louis explained that the sculpture would be made from Jesmonite AC730, an acrylic-modified micro-concrete that is “designed to last for many decades with minimal maintenance.”
However, the plans have met with opposition from some residents.
One resident said: “There are plenty of better things to spend £50,000 on rather than a sculpture that would get vandalised within a week.”
Another criticised the scheme as “very poor judgement”, arguing: “As much as the arts are a very important part of community binding and individual wellbeing, when there is genuine hardship at levels not seen in decades, the £48,000 spend on a statue is quite perverse.
“These funds could be so much better spent helping support vulnerable people or improving community infrastructure.”
A third resident said: “I strongly believe that allocating approximately £48,000 of public funds toward the installation of a small concrete sculpture is not an appropriate or justifiable use of taxpayer money.”
In response, Cllr Tom Plater, Cabinet Member for Resources and Transformation at Stevenage Borough Council said: “The Roman statue planning application relates to the new public artwork commissioned as part of the Heart Trails.
“The project in its entirety has been funded by the previous government’s Towns Fund through the Stevenage Development Board.
“Our council prides itself on delivering over 120 services for Stevenage residents, which includes waste and recycling collections, tackling antisocial behaviour in our town, and delivering sports and leisure facilities.
“Residents can be reassured that the money that funds these vital services has not been spent on this project.
“For further information, visit https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/news/stevenage-heart-trails-launch-to-showcase-town-art.”
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