Landmark art plan comes to a head

The sculpture will overlook the M62

A huge 20m (65.6ft) sculpture of a girl's head, which is being billed as a gateway to Merseyside and Greater Manchester has been given the go-ahead.

The £1.3m landmark, known as The Dream, will stand on the top of a former spoil heap at a closed coal mine in St Helens, overlooking the M62.

The miners who used to work at Sutton Manor helped to chose the design.

The Dream will be cast in concrete with an "almost luminous" white finish. It is expected to launch in Spring 2009.

St Helens Council officially granted planning permission for the design on Tuesday night.

'Brighter future'

Artist Jaume Plensa designed the dream on a commission from the council as part of The Big Art Project, an public art initiative from Channel 4 supported by Arts Council England and The Art Fund.

It is intended to become a landmark and symbolise the regeneration of the whole region.

St Helens Council said that the ex-miners and community "wanted a piece that looked to a brighter future and created a beautiful and contemplative space for future generations".

Councillor Brian Spencer said: "As both council leader and someone who worked down Sutton Manor colliery myself, I am delighted that planning permission has been received for this spectacular new artwork, which is intended to symbolise the positive post-industrial transformation that St Helens has undergone in recent years.

"It is a testament to the nature and scale of our forward-looking ambition that an artist of the international standing of Jaume Plensa is undertaking this commission."

Plensa's other works include the Crown Fountain in Chicago, and a laser beam that shines over Gateshead's Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and Breathing - a light sculpture on BBC's Broadcasting House.