By BRIAN TILLEY

Last updated at 10:03, Friday, 09 January 2009

PLANS have been approved for a new artwork at Kielder Water at the second attempt.

Tynedale councillors turned down proposals for the steel shelter at Cock Stoor on the north shore of the lake in October.

However, an amended scheme got the thumbs up at the December meeting of Tynedale Council’s development control committee.

The original application was refused because councillors felt that the steel structure, by virtue of its modern geometric design, was inappropriate in the open countryside.

However, curator of art for Kielder, Peter Sharpe, told the meeting that Grit and Pearl, the renowned architectural practice which had submitted the plans, had taken steps to deal with the objections.

The structure has been designed to provide shelter for walkers and cyclists using the Lakeside Way, the new path which runs the length of the reservoir.

It had reduced in size by eight per cent, so fewer trees would have to be felled to accommodate it.

The sharp geometry had been smoothed and softened, the colour scheme simplified and the whole thing had been moved further back into the trees, so it would be less visible from a distance.

The site was over a mile from the nearest public road at Tower Knowe, and could only reached via a 150-yard spur from the main lakeside way.

He said the steel sliding doors and various seating arrangements, would offer excellent vistas.

The structure would be painted yellow, he said, to represent the autumn colours of the lake, and so it would have a strong presence in the small area in which it was located.

Coun. Michael Walton, of Greenhaugh, said he liked the installation, but was concerned about its proximity to another artwork, the stainless steel Belvedere.

“I am also surprised to hear that the idea is to reflect the autumn colours at Kielder, as apart from the larches, most of the trees in the area are evergreens, and don’t change colour!”

Coun. Frank Mattinson, of Bellingham, raised the question of the possibility of the trees around the installation being felled, which would change the whole position.

First published at 13:11, Thursday, 08 January 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk