Locals 'cross' over cross
The 20-metre (66ft) structure is intended to be the Cornish equivalent of Antony Gormley's Angel of the North in Gateshead, but protestors say money would be better spent on providing footpaths through Elwell Wood, next to the Tamar Bridge in Saltash.
Under the plans, the wood would be transformed into a public resource, with the structure designed by sculptor Simon Thomas as its centrepiece, but town resident Sharon Lambert says the woods, neglected for decades, should instead be cleaned and restored, and the facilities planned for the site, such as a community orchard, a fitness trail and a sensory garden, would be better placed elsewhere in the town.
Yesterday, however, Joe Ellison, the resident behind the plans, said many thought the design was 'an absolutely brilliant artistic masterpiece'.
This morning, Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, and Cornwall Council chief executive Kevin Lavery will pledge their support at a briefing event.
Mr Ellison said a bold vision was needed. "The Angel of the North was considered ugly by some, but now it's widely seen as a masterpiece," he said.
He pledged that the trees would be retained because of their value as a sound buffer.
He is now in the process of applying for a £450,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Spaces flagship award, to secure the funding before any planning application can be placed.
Mr Smit and Mr Lavery will be given a guided tour of the site before answering questions from the media.
It is not the first time such a project has been earmarked for the town. A decade ago, plans were first mooted for a similar cross at Carkeel roundabout. However, the project never came to fruition.
This time around Mr Ellison, the project organiser and a former mayor, says he is much more confident, and feedback from most residents was positive.
A decision on funding is due in January.
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