Residents asked to vote on Barnstaple public art

People aged 12 and over who live or work in Barnstaple are being asked to help choose public art designed to give the town centre a boost.

Eleven artists have been shortlisted, from 60 responses to the Flourishing Barnstaple scheme, and asked to develop their ideas further.

The project is led by North Devon Council with a total budget of £200,000 from Art Council England's cultural development fund.

The proposals will be displayed at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, Barnstaple Pannier Market, Green Lanes Shopping Centre and online from Wednesday 12 February.

The aim of Flourishing Barnstaple is to revitalise the town centre and promote cultural activity with public art.

People can vote for their favourite design by filling in a form or voting online.

The public's views will be considered with those of a selection panel of representatives from North Devon Council, Barnstaple Town Council, Barnstaple town team for culture and the community.

Councillor Mark Haworth-Booth, the cultural partnership board representative for North Devon Council, said there was an "incredible response" to the invitation for designs.

"The winning project will take pride of place in the town centre, so we want as many people as possible to take a look at the proposals and have their say," he added.

North Devon Council said a week of voting is set to close at midnight on Wednesday 19 February and the results are due to be announced in March.

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