The decision to create a new water feature in Brook Square was taken by Full Council last year and the Council is now consulting on four design options. The decision has received mixed views form Rugeley residents and shop keepers with fears that the development will be vandalized and ultimately have a negative effect upon the Rugeley. The money that will be required for the project could arguably be better spent improving Rugeley in a number of ways.
A consultation process is underway to allow Rugeley residents the option to give their input on the design for the water feature. Details of the options are on show in the Council’s area office in Anson Street and Rugeley Library until Friday 28th May. There will also be a special display in Brook Square on Thursday 13th and Saturday 15th May from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
Consultation questionnaires will be available at the above locations and comments can also be made by email to developmentcontrol@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Members of the public have until Tuesday 1st June to make their views known. The Council’s Cabinet will then consider the views expressed and decide how to proceed with the water feature.
The Council is asking for residents’ views on four design options:
1. Standard scheme
This option comprises a single channel, 13 metres in length, lined with Hollington sandstone enclosed by a dwarf wall, also in sandstone, and topped with a double-bow fence in British racing green. The structure would be completed by curved planters at each end. Graded pebbles would be used to contour the base of the channel, creating a meandering effect.
1a. Addition of a waterwall
An 8m waterwall would be added to the standard scheme, created with vertical granite slabs. Water would cascade down the face of the granite before flowing across the pebbles to rejoin the brook. The waterwall could be illuminated at night by colour-changing LED lighting.
1b. Addition of a footbridge
This option would be the same as Option 1 except that the open channel would be divided by a footbridge, creating two open sections of water, 5m long, on either side of the bridge.
1c. Addition of a waterwall and footbridge
This option is the standard scheme with the addition of two waterwalls either side of a footbridge.
Whatever the final design the project will be met with mixed emotions, let’s just hope it does not become a target for the less desirable behavior Rugeley town sometimes falls victim to.