RESIDENTS angered by Exeter City Council's controversial

decision to erect an expensive sculpture in Heavitree are

planning to create their own public work of art.

The council approved the installation of a £70,000 glass and

metal free-standing monument on the gable end of the Gun and

Sport Shop, in Fore Street, last month, despite strong

opposition from residents.

Now, Heavitree Sculpture Focus Group, which represents the

views of local people, says it would like to spearhead a

project to involve the entire community in a mural or mosaic on

the east-facing gable-end wall of the Light of India takeaway

and restaurant, on the corner of Fore Street and North

Street.

Well-known Heavitree artist Elaine Goodwin has indicated she

would be happy to help design the work, and hopes residents

will donate pieces of tessera — stone used in mosaic — for the

project.

Focus group member Martyn Beckett said: "The plans are in

the early stages. The people of Heavitree never asked for an

illuminated sculpture of the kind the city council plans to put

up.

"When asked what we wanted by the council, we said benches,

trees, a welcome to Heavitree sign and a mural, not this kind

of sculpture.

"So we have got together and decided that even if we have to

put up with that thing, it would be nice to have a mural on a

bigger and better wall.

"We have spoken to the owner of Light of India and he has

said that he is prepared to have a mural painted on his

wall.

"We don't yet know whether it would be a mural or mosaic, or

combination of both, but the idea is to have a real community

work of art so that people feel a sense of ownership.

"We want to get as many people involved as possible. We want

to have a consultation and perhaps get ideas from school

children."

Mohammed Noor, who is a part-owner of Light of India, said:

"I would be happy to have a mural painted on the wall of my

building.

"I am opposed to the sculpture which is planned for Gordon's

Place. It's a disgrace.

"We could have done better things with that sort of money

than what the council has done.

"For £70,000 we could have given Heavitree a facelift.

Anyone with any sense at all could see that.

"But even with a small amount of money we could make the

place look really nice.

"You don't have to spend so much, and we could demonstrate

this through a mural."

John Guyers, 65, who lives in Fore Street, said he was

concerned that the council's proposed sculpture would be a

traffic hazard.

He said he would be in favour of a mural or mosaic.

Mr Guyers said: "I think a mural on the Light of India would

be nice, and I would prefer one made by local people.

"Or why not put something in the park rather than have it on

the main road?"

Theresa Smith, of Wonford, who works at Force Cancer

Research, in Fore Street. said: "I think the council's proposed

sculpture is a waste of money and it will be distracting for

drivers.

"The money could have been spent on tidying up places in

Heavitree.

"Who is going to read these words on it anyway? A mural

would be better as long as there are no words on it. A

colourful mural might make the wall look nice, and having

children help with the design is a nice idea.

"It think it's the ordinary people in the street, the people

of Heavitree, who should benefit from something like this."

Karen Hawkins, who lives in Heavitree and owns Dunstan's of

Heavitree, a florist's across the road from Light of India,

said a mural was a nice idea, but money would be better spent

on planting trees.