CIVIC leaders in Monmouth have hit out at plans to site a "glass tower" on land high above the town as part of the Landmark Wales Project. It had been thought the winning entry in the multi million pounds project would be sited close to the Dixton Road roundabout. However, information given to The Beacon this week suggests that will not be the chose site. The national project aims to to create a series of iconic structures at major gateways and transition points around Wales. Four projects, including the one for Monmouth, were chosen from more than 87 entries to a competition which was open to architects, artists, students and members of the public. The competition invited entrants to submit proposals for landmark structures that could be sited at one of four sites in Wales: at Chirk near Wrexham; on the A40 at Monmouth; near Brynglas Tunnels at Newport; and at Dowlais, near Merthyr Tydfil. The winning entry for Monmouth was the one drawn up by Michael W Cook, "Untitled". Peter Cole, chair of the Landmark Wales Steering Group, said: "The phase two competition attracted some exciting and thought provoking entries. Choosing the winners was difficult but these four will each now be awarded a £5,000 prize. Two of the projects in particular showed great promise and, if we are successful in securing the Big Lottery Fund Living Landmark grant, we have decided to include Michael Cook's untitled "glass tower" design and Brenda Oakes/CIRICs Dream of Macsen Wledig in the next stage of a further selection process. David Cummings, Chairman of Monmouth and District Chamber of Commerce commented "Following notification of the results of the judging at the end of last week, I circulated members of the Chamber for their opinions of the winning design. There was considerable regret that the Longbow design had not been chosen, not only for the strong image of Welsh identity it portrayed, but also for its preferred location close to Monmouth town and the consequent advantage to local businesses. "There were mixed views over the architectural merits of the Tower but most criticism came from members concerning its proposed location. Although technically in Wales, the Tower's location on the eastern bank of the Wye may impart the message from a distance to some travellers that this is a symbol of the Forest of Dean rather than of Wales. "Doubts were expressed by members as to whether the A4366 road to Staunton could cope with the increased car and coach traffic generated by those wishing to visit the Landmark symbol due to the tight corners and numbers of Large Goods Vehicles already using the road. "The Chamber of Commerce has fully supported the Landmark Wales Lottery Fund project bid throughout its Stage 1 and 2 progression and wishes the organisers every success with the Stage 2 submission. However, in the event that the Stage 2 bid is successful we would beseech the organisers to find a more suitable site closer to the A40 and to Monmouth to improve ease of access to the symbol and create a clearer Welsh identity for the Tower" County Councillor Liz Hacket Pain, who's Ward contains this site,, said "At present this site is one of a number of possibilities that will come under consideration, but I have already voiced my grave concerns about having a 'glass tower' adjacent to the Staunton Road". Councillor Hacket Pain has demanded that the project takes into consideration the views of local people as well as the condition of the Staunton Road. This road has a history of both excessive use and fatal accidents due to its dangerous nature to such an extent that Councillor Hacket Pain and Councillor Marrilyn Smart, who represents the Ward of Staunton in the Forest of Dean, have jointly campaigned to raise the profile of this dangerous road and its worsening condition due to heavy traffic. "To reap the benefits of such a site there would need to be public access and car parks," explains Councillor Hacket Pain. "These would be inappropriate on this site and therefore I believe that the Staunton Road is definitely not the best place for such an venture." The winning entry has been described as: "Emerging from a monolithic stone base, the Tower, sheathed in glass panels etched with the lyrics of Welsh songs, rises more than 100 feet above the level of the plateau. Visible from afar, along the approach into Monmouth via the A40, it creates a bold new symbol for Wales at this important border route. The observation deck at the top of the Tower sits well above the tree line, allowing for spectacular vistas of Monmouth Town and the surrounding woodlands".
