Work to revamp 'iconic' artwork

The Apollo Pavilion was built in the late 1960s

Work has begun on the £400,000 restoration of a controversial piece of public art in County Durham.

The Apollo Pavilion was created by abstract artist Victor Pasmore and built in Peterlee in the late 1960s.

It was refused listed status by the government and has been plagued by vandalism and graffiti.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has donated £336,000 towards restoring the building to its original design and landscaping the surrounding area.

Mr Pasmore, who died in 1988, produced experimental housing plans for Peterlee in the early 1960s and became involved in the design of the pavilion after the original architect withdrew.

This country is going barmy spending that amount on a dirty lump of concrete Local councillor Joan Maslin

Named after the Apollo space mission, the pavilion was constructed to symbolise post-war simplicity and harmony.

The restoration will include the replacement of a staircase to allow access to the upper level and full restoration of two original Pasmore murals including feature lighting.

Negative opinions

Colin Robson, the arts development officer at District of Easington Council, said: "It is iconic, it was intended to embody the new town movement in post-war Britain, it is the only example of its type and it would be a real to Peterlee and the nation if it went.

"We got the money to protect its prosperity, I think a lot of people developed negative opinions about it over the last decade when it has fallen into ruin.

"We want to restore it to its former glory."

However the work has not impressed some local people.

Peterlee councillor Joan Maslin, who lives near the pavilion, said: "I am pleased they are going to do it up, but it annoys me they will spend £400,000 on it, that is ridiculous.

"I am sure there are other good causes that it could be spent on, this country is going barmy spending that amount on a dirty lump of concrete."