\n 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\u2019s Planning and Development Committee on Thursday, June 4.\n<\/p>\n
\n The project is budgeted at up to \u00a348,000 and paid for by the Town’s Fund.\n<\/p>\n
\n Louis Smith, the artist behind the piece, said: “Stevenage lies along the route of Ermine Street \u2013 the Roman road that once connected London to York.\n<\/p>\n
\n “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.\n<\/p>\n
\n “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.\n<\/p>\n
\n “This mixture of known history and mystery is central to the work.”\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.”\n<\/p>\n
\n However, the plans have met with opposition from some residents.\n<\/p>\n
\n One resident said: “There are plenty of better things to spend \u00a350,000 on rather than a sculpture that would get vandalised within a week.”\n<\/p>\n
\n 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 \u00a348,000 spend on a statue is quite perverse.\n<\/p>\n
\n “These funds could be so much better spent helping support vulnerable people or improving community infrastructure.”\n<\/p>\n
\n A third resident said: “I strongly believe that allocating approximately \u00a348,000 of public funds toward the installation of a small concrete sculpture is not an appropriate or justifiable use of taxpayer money.”\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n “The project in its entirety has been funded by the previous government\u2019s Towns Fund through the Stevenage Development Board.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u00a0“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.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Residents can be reassured that the\u00a0money that funds these vital services has not been spent on this project.\n<\/p>\n