PLANS are having to be reassessed over where to place a piece of art being offered to Droitwich by a renowned sculptor.

The sculpture, which is likely to be a copy of a work called 'Connections' already in existence by the artist Charles Walker Hazzard, is being offered to the town as a gesture to give something back to the community, and his offer is being supported by Droitwich Arts Network, which wrote to the town council to back the offer.

The sculpture was discussed at a recent meeting of the Community and Amenities Committee of Droitwich Town Council and councillors suggested that the sculpture might be placed in Saltbarrow Market, but that idea has been rejected by Wychavon District Council.

Peter Head, property and projects manager at Wychavon, said: “Unfortunately, the suggested location for the sculpture is not appropriate as Saltbarrow Market Way has little ‘spare’ space to accommodate a fixed piece of art. The main paved area is a pedestrian route between the High Street and the Waitrose car park, but it is also used for market stalls, for stallholders to load and unload, and two of the four small market kiosks are licensed to use the pavement area outside their units. In addition, there is a right of way over the remaining paved area for vehicles to access the furniture store’s customer car park. Permitting an art installation there would conflict with the current uses and severely restrict any future efforts to increase the number and size of markets.”

Councillors at a recent meeting of the full town council agreed that the wishes of the committee could not be carried out, but the issue wasn’t discussed any further, and will now return to the Community and Amenities Committee, which is next due to meet on November 9.