AN art studio specialising in public and community-based projects has been appointed to deliver two landmark public artworks for an historic harbour and docks.

Denman and Gould based in Dorset will deliver the artworks celebrating the Forest’s links with seafaring as part of the £2.1m Destination Lydney Harbour project.

Founded by Eleanor Goulding and Russell Denman, the studio has been commissioned to help enhance the visitor experience of the 205-year-old harbour, linking the town with its important industrial history.

They were successfully appointed after a public consultation and competitive procurement process.

Forest Council community projects leader Rose Farrington said: “We were looking for an artist to create a site-specific installation that would draw attention to Lydney’s unique heritage, making connections between the history and context of Lydney Harbour and the surrounding area both physically and conceptually.

“Denman and Gould specialise in public and community-based projects and have in-depth experience of delivering public art projects like this, and we are looking forward to working with them to create something unique for Lydney.”

A statement by the studio said: “We are hugely excited to be working on such a fascinating project.

“We are very inspired by the rich history and the unique natural environment experienced at Lydney.

“We look forward to fully getting to know the place and to create an artwork that truly reflects and supports the use of the historic harbour.”

Cllr Bernie O’Neill, Forest Council Cabinet member for Finance, said: “The public artwork is an intrinsic part of the harbour redevelopment and something that we hope the people of Lydney will be proud of.

“It will welcome visitors to the area, invite people to visit the harbour and, in doing so, help them to learn about this nationally important scheduled ancient monument.”

Devised by the Lydney Coastal Community, The Destination Lydney Harbour project aims to create “safe, attractive transport routes into Lydney Harbour and develop the area as a recreation and tourism destination”.

The old mortuary and store buildings have been upgraded and will become the new accessible toilets and ‘Visitor Information Hub’, mooring and seating points will be installed and improvements made to cycle and walking routes, the highway, and station approach.

Signage will also be improved, and a new walking trail installed.

Lydney Skiff, a community rowing boat building project is also underway – bringing this traditional craft back to Severnside.

Demolition work has also been taking place at the Pine End Works former aircraft factory site, targeted for a purpose-designed smokery, eel farm, visitor centre, shops and restaurant for the Severn and Wye Smokery, which is currently based at Chaxhill.

For more information about the artists, see www.denmangould.com