Shining light on new homes

Jan 9 2006 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

PLANS for a new public art feature have been given the go-ahead for a development of new homes at Willenhall.

The scheme has recently been approved at a development of new homes on Bowker Street called Dean's Gate, from award-winning housebuilder KingsOak West Midlands.

Within the past ten years, a variety of public sculptures and artworks have been created within the Wolverhampton area.

Schemes include the Statue of Billy Wright at the Molineux Stadium and the Tower Panels at the Morrison's supermarket in Bilston town centre.

The KingsOak feature will become the third addition to the city's 'Out of Darkness' project that has already seen two prominent Wolverhampton landmarks illuminated by innovative lighting schemes.

The project aims to link public art with the city's motto Out of Darkness Cometh Light. The other lighting schemes are St Leonard's Church in Bilston and St Peter's Church on Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton.

Dean's Gate, off the Willenhall Road, comprises a number of houses and apartments and it is the apartment buildings which are set to become a landmark on Bowker Street by being painted in blue light.

Mark Wright, Managing Director for KingsOak West Midlands, said: "Although it will only be appreciated after dark, the scheme will help to enhance the area's existing character through a subtle yet dramatic transformation that will become visible as daytime moves into night-time.

"The scheme will make use of some imaginative, artificial, external lighting in order to create a new sense of place by giving a unique identity to this part of Wolverhampton.

"Specialised light fittings will be installed which will be carefully located to ensure the feature does not become a nuisance to the development's occupants, nearby residents and road users."

The lighting scheme will be installed next year.

There are just eleven two-bedroom apartments remaining for sale at Dean's Gate priced from £132,500. KingsOak also has a second development of homes in Wolverhampton called Hampton Gardens, on Pond Lane.

KingsOak is currently investigating the opportunity for a similar public art feature to be installed at this development.

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