£2.5m funding approved for Yorkshire Rose statues

Funding of £2.5m has been approved by Barnsley Council for three new Yorkshire Rose sculptures in the town centre.

The sculptures, standing between 12m (40ft) and 15m (50ft), will feature integrated lighting and audio elements, creating an immersive experience for visitors.

They are designed to serve as a visual gateway to the Seam Digital Campus, part of a wider £11.97m regeneration effort to promote Barnsley as a digital hub.

Approving the funds, councillors said the sculptures were a key part of a wider plan to bring forward development in the Upper Seam area and to enhance the town's identity.

The development will include an urban park with three distinct gardens, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

There will also be a £1m contingency budget to cover unforeseen costs during installation.

Robin Franklin, cabinet member for regeneration and culture, told a council meeting the sculptures aimed to transform the area into an "iconic attraction".

He said it would help "promote the town centre, and act as the catalyst for the next phase of the project, which will include the DMC [Digital Media Centre] three, and the national centre for digital technology".

He said it was also hoped the work would help to generate investment to attract a "premium hotel".

The report acknowledged the potential risks of negative publicity due to the cost of the sculptures and outlined a communications strategy which would focus on promoting the long-term advantages.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North