Mark Wallinger wins Angel of the South competition

A 50m-high white horse designed by artist Mark Wallinger could greet Eurostar passengers as they arrive in the UK, after winning the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project competition.

The huge horse, which would stand on all fours and be 33 times life-size, is planned for Springhead Park, Kent, and would overlook Ebbsfleet Valley, Ebbsfleet International railway station and the busy A2 trunk road.

Dubbed the Angel of the South, it would be more than twice the height of Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North statue in Gateshead.

Wallinger’s design beat shortlisted submissions from Daniel Buren and Richard Deacon. The original longlist also featured Rachel Whiteread and Christopher Le Brun.

The Ebbsfleet Landmark Project board will now start the planning process for the statue, adding that while fundraising is difficult in the current economic climate, it hopes the situation may ease as the planning process, expected to take a year, runs its course.

Wallinger says, ‘This is a tremendously exciting project. There was some very tough competition and I am honoured that the horse has won through. I and the team very much look forward to working with Gravesham Borough Council as the planning process progresses.’

Stephen Jordan, chair of the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project Board, says, ‘In spite of the current recession, this project remains important for the 25-year task of building sustainable communities in Ebbsfleet Valley and strong economic development around Ebbsfleet International station.’