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02 Jun 2015

FAMILY OF DEER MAKE A WELCOME RETURN TO BEAULIEU


Once the site of King Henry VIII’s Tudor palace and deer park, Beaulieu, the landmark new development by developers Countryside and L&Q, has welcomed a striking new sculpture, unveiled by Mayor of Chelmsford Councillor Paul Hutchinson and Leader of the Council, Councillor Roy Whitehead, today.


Sculptor Jane Ackroyd was commissioned to produce sculptural pieces, representing a group of deer as a focal point marking the first entrance to Beaulieu, just off White Hart Lane, in front of the proposed Neighbourhood Centre. Comprising a stag and a pair of doe, representing a family group and fabricated in corten steel, the sculptures have been designed to reflect the heritage of the site, and form part of an extensive programme of public art commissioned by Countryside and L&Q, which is central to the masterplan for Beaulieu.


The unveiling followed a tour of the site, hosted by Countryside and L&Q, attended by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Leader of the Council, Planning Portfolio holder, Springfield North Ward Councillors, and members of the Council’s planning department, to highlight the progress of the development, ahead of the first phase of homes coming to market. The sculptures were created as part of this first phase of Beaulieu, which will also include a neighbourhood centre providing shops, community and health facilities.


Councillor Paul Hutchinson, Mayor of Chelmsford, commented: “I am delighted to see first-hand the tremendous progress at Beaulieu, and am looking forward to seeing the development come to life as residents start to move in. As the largest residential scheme being created in Chelmsford, Beaulieu will provide extensive facilities which the community will be able to benefit from for many years to come - the family of deer, standing proud in such a prominent position, is most certainly befitting for Beaulieu’s heritage and it’s encouraging future.”


Speaking of the sculptures, public arts consultant, Alison Turnbull, commented: “To take flat sheets of steel and to cut, bend and weld it into a sculpture that eloquently expresses the spirit of the animal is the peculiar and particular talent of Jane Ackroyd. Her creation here is captivating; the placement of the sculpture marks the transition from the main road into this prestigious new development. The trio of watching stag and grazing does are a focal point, emblematic of the family home in a fantastic historic parkland setting.”


David Montague, Chief Executive at L&Q commented: “Jane Ackroyd’s family group of deer stand proudly at the entrance to welcome everyone to Beaulieu, and directly link its rich history and natural setting with the promise of its exciting future. This is just the beginning of a whole programme of public art, community facilities and family homes, which will both capture and enhance the unique spirit of Beaulieu, transforming it into a desirable new district.”


Richard Cherry, Chief Executive of Partnerships at Countryside said: “We were delighted to host the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Council Leader, and local councillors and planning principals at Beaulieu today, showing them the fantastic progress we have made, and sharing our vision for the development. We are also grateful to Mayor Hutchinson and Councillor Whitehead for unveiling the new sculpture, which is undoubtedly a prominent and fitting waymarker for the entrance to Beaulieu.”


Envisaged as a sustainable modern urban extension for Chelmsford, Beaulieu will comprise a mix of traditional and contemporary new homes to help meet the needs of the City’s growing population, set around the majestic backdrop of New Hall and its estate parkland.


The residential areas will be supported by first class amenities that will allow the new neighbourhoods to grow and flourish. A wide range of facilities will be provided including two new primary schools and a secondary school; community, health, sport and retail amenities together with an extensive network of parkland and green open spaces.


The first collection of 49 homes designed in a colonial style, is due to be launched later this month, offering 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes.A further phase of contemporary style homes will be launching in late 2015 offering 1 and 2 bedroom apartments through to 5 bedroom houses.