A CONSULTATION is to be launched after a £66,000 grant for new artwork at a Nursling roundabout.

Test Valley Borough Council's cabinet agreed to allocate the funds towards the work at the Adanac roundabout having previously appealed for artists to come forward for the project.

That funding has been given to artist Martin Heron, and has been sourced from developer contributions from the nearby Lidl distribution centre.

At the end of last year, the council invited applications from artists interested in taking on the commission.

The authority received 24 expressions of interest from artists across the country. A commissioning panel, which included representatives from the council, parish council, art specialists and a representative from the nearby Ordnance Survey offices, considered 12 shortlisted proposals.

They then decided to award the contract to Martin.

Now, a consultation will begin with the Nursling community in the coming weeks, before developing designs for the new artwork.

Portfolio holder for community and leisure, cllr Tony Ward, said the approach will put community engagement at the core of the project.

He said: "Good quality public art plays an important role in enhancing the local landscape.

"Martin's approach to creating artwork puts community engagement at the core and this is vital when it comes to creating art that really means something to people.

"His contemporary work has a strong visual impact and is also influenced by the local area, nature, history and local people.

"I am very much looking forward to seeing the designs take shape over the coming months."

The park, which sits on the edge of the M271, houses names including Holiday Inn and the nearby Ordnance Survey.

Martin, who is based in the east midlands, creates work that includes drawings, paintings and sculptures that has "a strong physical presence" according to the artists website.