Darwin sculpture gets go ahead

A huge piece of public art to mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth has been given the go-ahead as it is revealed Shrewsbury taxpayers are forking out £210,000 towards the development.At a development control meeting last night, councillors followed planning officers' recommendations to approve the 12-metre high sculpture for Mardol Quay Garden, called Quantum Leap.

Members described the artwork as a "cracker", "fantastic" and "beautiful" but it had also received objections from some residents who slammed it as an eyesore lacking relevance to the great naturalist's work.

Dominic Wallis, who is project officer for Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, told last night's meeting that the £350,000 scheme which includes a cast iron sculpture and associated "Geo Garden", would see 60 per cent of the cost being met by the authority.

But he claimed it was an important development which had a symbolic link to Darwin and also Shropshire's significance as one of the only places in the world featuring rocks from 10 of the 12 geological periods.

He said: "Without geology Darwin's theories would never have stacked up."

Councillor Charles Armstrong, portfolio holder for capital projects, said the artwork would help to propel Shrewsbury into the limelight during the 2009 bicentenary.