Hillside horse on course for success

Markham Vale, south of Sheffield on the M1, is part of the city region’s enterprise zone, which was set up by the Government in a bid to bring new business and jobs to the area.

The motorway junction 29a was built at the site several years ago to improve transport links, and council bosses say the 750ft-wide horse, which will be lit at night, will attract more attention.

Derbyshire County Council’ss investing £77m in the site and its development spokesman Coun Andrew Lewer said one of the planning conditions attached to the project was the provision of public art.

The lights for the horse will be powered by on-site wind turbines, and it is expected that surplus electricity generated will be sold to pay for the artwork’s upkeep.

Coun Lewer said: “An increasing number of companies see Markham Vale as the perfect place to locate. We want to create something which is iconic, puts Markham Vale firmly on the map, and looks to an exciting future of further jobs creation.”