Decision details

Approve the permission for legal urban art walls in Newmarket Road Subway as a trial (this will be subject to agreement with Cambridgeshire County Council as the owners of the subway structure).

The Committee received a report from the Public Art Officer which referred to the preliminary work which had begun on the Urban Art Strategy. Newmarket Road Subway had been identified as a potential area for the provision of walls for urban art to be created on. 

The Chair suggested that the report recommendations not be voted on at this point but that the discussion should focus on approving the principle of developing this site as an urban art space, with suggestions on the proposals. Officers could then take the report to the relevant scrutiny committee who could approve the funding to take the project forward.

This amendment was carried nem con.

In response to questions from the Committee the Senior Public Art Officer and the Green Space Manager said the following:

     i.        Could not advise how many signatures were on the petition calling for urban art walls in the City as referenced in the Officer’s report.

    ii.        The petition had been set up a professional graffiti artist whose work could be viewed around the city and had expressed an interest in assisting with the project.

   iii.        Cambridge Arts & Technology College had also advised that their students would be willing to undertake work on this project.

  iv.        It was the intention to include local schools and involve local people to work with a professional commissioned graffiti artist.

   v.        Noted the Committee’s comments that a cautious approach was needed; the design(s) had to stand the test of time and would be of a high standard.

  vi.        Agreed that a permanent piece of art would deter vandalism as demonstrated by larger urban art projects in other cities.

 vii.        Noted the comments that public consultation was required with local residents; particularly those in Abbey Road as the underpass backed on this residential area.

viii.        Proposals would also be looked at in conjunction with the county councillor officers.

  ix.        Would establish that the project was feasible and there was support which would attract a cultural space in the city.

   x.        The Eastern Gate Proposals had not been taken forward due to the prioritisation of schemes within the City Deal. Newmarket Road was not prioritised in the first tranche of funding. Therefore the roundabout over the underpass would remain in place for the foreseeable future.

The Committee:

Resolved unanimously to:

i.        Approve the principle of developing this site as an urban art    space.