STRIKING new sculptures which will create a new town centre landmark will cost an estimated £2.5m to design and install, it was revealed this week.

Known as the ‘Yorkshire Roses’, ruling cabinet members are expected to sign off on the investment at a meeting next week in order to kick-start major work on County Way.

The first phase of the scheme - due to begin as soon as the summer - includes a sprawling urban park comprising three separate natural gardens but the main attraction of the initial project will be the arrival of three sculptures.

The central sculpture will stand at 15 metres tall while two smaller 12-metre sculptures will serve as a ‘landmark’ for the area.

A council report said: “The Yorkshire Roses sculptures will serve as a visual gateway to a key project in the town’s regeneration plans.

“They have the potential to draw national as well as local and regional visitors to the town.

“The large-scale installations will showcase the fusion of art, technology, and heritage, with integrated lighting and audio elements that create an immersive, interactive experience for visitors that will act as a catalyst for future investment.

“A capital contribution of up to £2.5m will fund the public art installations and associated works but note that this figure is based on latest available cost estimates and includes design fees, infrastructure upgrades, fabrication, installation and contingency amounts.

“The sculptures will provide a legacy for the future, creating heritage in the heart of our urban regeneration plans, providing a long-lasting social and cultural legacy which will support our plans to grow digital and creative industries, while celebrating our history.”

Alongside the proposed sculptures, the report also highlights a contingency budget of £1m to cover any unforeseen costs or challenges that may arise during the installation phase.

The total cost for County Way’s regeneration is now expected to be £11.97m, however £7.5m is anticipated to come from external sources.

Plans for a 140-bed hotel remain a key part of the second phase of the transformation, after bosses identified a need to offer more accommodation to encourage overnight visits.

Nearby hotels include the 110-room Premier Inn in the town centre, but both the 77-room Holiday Inn at Dodworth and the 117-room Ibis Styles, also in Dodworth, are three miles out of the centre, as is Stairfoot’s 32-room Travelodge.

Sir Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, added: “We’re fiercely proud, ambitious and bold in Barnsley and the sculptures symbolise our town’s resilience and optimism for a bright future.

“They’re not just a landmark, they’re a celebration of our proud heritage and bold ambitions, reflecting Barnsley’s strength and unity while marking its future as a centre of opportunity and creativity.”