FRESH designs for a work of public art on Ipswich Waterfront are set to go before town chiefs after a previous application was turned down, it emerged today.

FRESH designs for a work of public art on Ipswich Waterfront are set to go before town chiefs after a previous application was turned down, it emerged today.

The eight-metre tall work, commissioned by Ipswich Borough Council following a competition in 2005, has been pencilled in for Stoke Quay adjacent to the River Orwell.

An initial application went before the authority's planning committee back in August but was rejected over concerns it could hinder blind or partially sighted people walking along the footpath.

A new application has now been made in a bid to address points raised by planning chiefs.

The sculpture would consist of a central “crows nest” feature supported by three steel supports each set into the ground at an angle to allow pedestrians to pass through the sculpture and underneath the crows nest.

The crows nest would be illuminated by a central light set into the ground and activated by passing cars, pedestrian or cyclists.

The sculpture originated in 2005 from a public art competition launched by the council to provide a work of art which would act as a signpost to the area and reflect the past history of the dock.

Four candidates were shortlisted and interviewed by a panel of Officers and the culture portfolio holder.

Artist Tony Stallard was chosen to draw up the design.

The �20,000 funding was provided by developers Persimmon as part of planning permission for a Waterfront development.

A date for the fresh application to be heard is yet to be set.

n. Should there be more public art in Ipswich? What do you think of the design? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk