Artist Jane Ackroyd has been chosen to create the first piece of public art at Beaulieu in Chelmsford. Developers Countryside and L&Q have commissioned Jane to produce sculptural pieces representing a group of deer that will become a focal point marking the entrance to Beaulieu off White Hart Lane.

Comprising a stag and a pair of doe representing a family group, fabricated in corten steel, the sculptures have been designed to reflect the heritage of the site, a former deer park once owned by King Henry VIII as part of his Tudor Palace and estate parkland known as ‘Beaulieu’. Due to be unveiled in March, this permanent artwork will be installed in a prominent position in front of the new neighbourhood centre on White Hart Lane.

The sculptures form part of a complete programme of public art commissioned by Countryside and L&Q, and are central to the masterplan for Beaulieu.

The sculptures are being created as part of the first phase of Beaulieu, which includes new homes and a neighbourhood centre providing shops, community and health facilities. The first collection of 49 homes designed in a colonial style, is due to be launched in early Summer offering 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes with a guide price from £300,000. Further phases will be launching in late 2015 offering 1 and 2 bedroom apartments through to 5 bedroom houses.

Andrew Carrington, Managing Director of Strategic Land at Countryside said: “We are excited to be working with Jane Ackroyd whose sculptural design of a group of deer will act as a waymarker, announcing the arrival at Beaulieu. The artwork will give context about the history of this location and along with the other elements of the public art programme we have planned, will help to give Beaulieu its own distinct character.”

Jerome Geoghegan, Group Director, Development and Sales, at L&Q says: “We are delighted to have commissioned our first artist for Beaulieu. Jane Ackroyd’s family group of deer will stand at the entrance to welcome everyone to the site, and directly link its rich history and natural setting with the promise of its exciting future. This is just the beginning of a whole programme of public art which will both capture and enhance the unique spirit of Beaulieu.”

As an artist, Jane Ackroyd has had a love of animals ever since she was a child and they provide the subject matter for many of her pieces. Working in steel, the essence of her work is always to capture the charisma of the animal, balancing power and grace. Jane graduated from St Martin’s School of Art with first-class honours and completed an MA at the Royal College of Art. She has produced many public and private commissions and her work is in collections in Europe and the US.