RESIDENTS have been left stunned after a piece of artwork appeared on their new-build housing development, costing £24,000, when part of the estate is yet to be completed.

Linden Homes has installed the sculpture, created by artist Michael Dan Archer, outside the Longacre development.

But residents were left unimpressed, with one saying it reminded him of “random sticks stuck in dog excrement”.

They were further shocked to learn that Linden Homes paid £24,000 for the artwork, whilst the estate’s roads are yet to be tarmacked.

Twenty-nine-year-old Jack Finch said: “It’s crazy the amount of money they have spent and the road hasn’t even been tarmacked.

“It was meant to be done in April now we’re in July and it’s still not done, but they can spend money elsewhere on a sculpture we don’t need.”

But Mr Archer has hit back, saying that criticising it prior to the landscaping being complete is like “reviewing a new car before it was painted or the engine was installed”.

Linden Homes added that the artwork is in keeping with the initial planning conditions, and that the landscaping will be complete by the summer.

You can read the full story in this week’s edition of The Gazette. Also in this week's paper:

  • The future of Basingstoke’s Odeon cinema is uncertain after its owner effectively declared itself bankrupt. 
  •  A Basingstoke A&E doctor is using her spare time to make viral videos on social media to counter misinformation about Covid-19.
  • A Basingstoke couple got into financial difficulties during the Covid pandemic and turned to drug dealing, a court has been told.
  • John Lewis has said it has ‘no plans’ to turn its Basingstoke store into housing, despite announcing its intention to build 10,000 homes.
  • Members of the public are fuming after hearing that the borough council is proposing to charge £12.80 to park at Eastrop Park for more than four hours. 
  • A Basingstoke doctor has urged residents to raise any concerns they have about the Covid vaccination directly with a health professional, after leaflets warning of its risks for children have been spotted around Basingstoke. 
  • Residents are calling for action to be taken to prevent further anti social behaviour at the Camrose football ground following another suspected arson incident at the weekend.
  • A Basingstoke mum is raising awareness of the effects of long Covid having suffered with extreme fatigue for months. 
  • PLUS: All the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • Pictures: England fans past and present cheer on the three lions.
  • The latest news from our communities.
  • An eight-page puzzle special.
  • Business news.
  • Three pages of entertainment news.
  • Four pages of sports news. And much more!

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