Don't let our living landmark idea die; Business bosses still keen to see iconic structure in N.Wales.

Byline: By DAVID JONES Business Correspondent

BUSINESS chiefs say Wales may yet get a gigantic work of art similar to the famous Angel of the North statue at Gateshead in north east England - despite the designs submitted so far failing to come up to scratch.

Controversial plans to build landmark structures in Flintshire and in Holyhead harbour were abandoned a few months ago after failing to win vital funding.

It had been hoped that the works of art would be sited at strategic gateways into North Wales and help strengthen the region's tourist profile.

Proposals for a giant "postcard" on the A550 close to the Wales/England border and three granite pillars in Holyhead harbour failed to make a shortlist for cash from the National Lottery's Living Landmarks fund.

October's decision to turn down the funding bids was welcomed by campaigners in Flintshire, and Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said: "Iwas a longterm campaigner against the idea. It did not have the support of the local community."

The suggested three granite pillars at Holyhead harbour, while better received, prompted calls for the money to be spent on local regeneration schemes instead.

However, a measure of support has nowbeen voiced at the North Wales Economic Forum - the body which first discussed the possibility of siting new, iconicworks of art in the region - for further investigation of the idea.

Members of the public/private sector grouping were told that Flintshire in particular was keen to develop a project within the county.

Bob Dutton, of Wrexham County Borough Council, said works of art proposed for both Wrexhamand Flintshire had not been of the highest quality but he thought there was an opportunity to take the matter further.

He said a striking work of art close to the Welsh border would help raise the profile of Wales both nationally and internationally.

Tom Jones, of the Wales TUC, said he did not think the overall concept of an iconic work of art for North Wales should be allowed to die, although he said he was not all that struck on the designs that had reached the Living Landmarks regional shortlist.

Dafydd Iwan, of Gwynedd County Council, suggested the forummight investigate whether it would be possible to combine the idea of an iconic work of art with a project in the offing for some time to site a memorial on the shores of Llyn Celyn at Tryweryn to commemorate the drowning of the Capel Celyn community in 1960s

He said a design for the Tryweryn piece had already been produced by John Meirion Morris and a model had been fashioned.

But other members of the forum agreed with critics who had said the Living Landmarks project was a "waste of money" which could be better spent on genuine regeneration projects for communities in North Wales.

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CAPTION(S):

Granite pillars were suggested for Holyhead harbour before the project was abandoned. Inset, John Meirion Morris with a model of a memorial on the shores of Llyn Celyn at Tryweryn to commemorate the drowning of the Capel Celyn community in 1960s