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Gayle · 28-03-2005, 19:30

Questions from Willow the Whisp

1) Why does this panopticon have to be on the Coppice? Why can't the Coppice be left alone and a work of art be placed elsewhere?

This is a tricky one in some respects as I wasn't around when the decision to use the Coppice was made. However, from what I understand Mid Pennine Arts, ELP and NWDA took advice from Hyndburn Borough Council and officers from the Council. I can understand it being chosen as an appropriate site as it does give fantastic views across the borough and is the closest to the key town in the borough. It would also be fair to say that it does need a bit of tlc at the moment and the extra money that the scheme can attract should be able to help there.

2) Who is going to look after the thing when we've got one? Even earthworks can be vandalised.

The responsibility of maintaining the site does remain with HBC. I think the issue here is that HBC don't really maintain the site at the moment. Peter Beard, the architect feels that the actual earth work should only need strimming once or twice a year to keep it tidy. As for vandalism an earth work is the least likely to attract vandalism as compared to other options we had. But, I know this is a serious concern so please allow me to consider this carefully before replying.

3) As regards this idea of concentric circles of earth with gathered rain water between - have the safety aspects been considered?

What I think Peter Beard means is that they will form and grow in the same way that the trenches have. I personally agree that having them collect water is not ideal and so perhaps some drainage system should be incorporated.

4) Please explain how anything stuck up on top of the Coppice is going to be of benefit to the town and bring investment in.

It starts a ball rolling and has a knock on effect - this has been shown in other towns so we know this to be a successful model. Gateshead is frequently quoted as the best example of this. People were against the Angel of the North but since it has been built the town has started some huge regeneration schemes, most (not all) of which have come to fruition. It attracts attention and publicity and says 'hey look what we're trying to do'. Accrington has an extremely staid image and by embracing a piece of modern art it will help to change that image. I've had requests from serious BBC 2 programmes about featuring the scheme and Accrington in particular. Once regeneration starts business start to return, retail improves and residents stop leaving for elsewhere. No one has ever claimed that the Panopticon in itself is the be all and end all of our town's problems but alongside the other things that are happening in the borough it all adds up to quite a strong regeneration outlook.

28-03-2005, 19:30	#53
Gayle God Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Relaxville Posts: 6,866 Blog Entries: 69 Liked: 13 times Rep Power: 2867	Re: On Behalf of Gayle Night Questions from Willow the Whisp 1) Why does this panopticon have to be on the Coppice? Why can't the Coppice be left alone and a work of art be placed elsewhere? This is a tricky one in some respects as I wasn't around when the decision to use the Coppice was made. However, from what I understand Mid Pennine Arts, ELP and NWDA took advice from Hyndburn Borough Council and officers from the Council. I can understand it being chosen as an appropriate site as it does give fantastic views across the borough and is the closest to the key town in the borough. It would also be fair to say that it does need a bit of tlc at the moment and the extra money that the scheme can attract should be able to help there. 2) Who is going to look after the thing when we've got one? Even earthworks can be vandalised. The responsibility of maintaining the site does remain with HBC. I think the issue here is that HBC don't really maintain the site at the moment. Peter Beard, the architect feels that the actual earth work should only need strimming once or twice a year to keep it tidy. As for vandalism an earth work is the least likely to attract vandalism as compared to other options we had. But, I know this is a serious concern so please allow me to consider this carefully before replying. 3) As regards this idea of concentric circles of earth with gathered rain water between - have the safety aspects been considered? What I think Peter Beard means is that they will form and grow in the same way that the trenches have. I personally agree that having them collect water is not ideal and so perhaps some drainage system should be incorporated. 4) Please explain how anything stuck up on top of the Coppice is going to be of benefit to the town and bring investment in. It starts a ball rolling and has a knock on effect - this has been shown in other towns so we know this to be a successful model. Gateshead is frequently quoted as the best example of this. People were against the Angel of the North but since it has been built the town has started some huge regeneration schemes, most (not all) of which have come to fruition. It attracts attention and publicity and says 'hey look what we're trying to do'. Accrington has an extremely staid image and by embracing a piece of modern art it will help to change that image. I've had requests from serious BBC 2 programmes about featuring the scheme and Accrington in particular. Once regeneration starts business start to return, retail improves and residents stop leaving for elsewhere. No one has ever claimed that the Panopticon in itself is the be all and end all of our town's problems but alongside the other things that are happening in the borough it all adds up to quite a strong regeneration outlook.