Giant white horse on 'Angel of the South' shortlist » Communities » 24dash.com

A giant white horse sculpture, a steel latticework "nest" and a tower of stacked cubes are the final three designs in the running to be chosen for a new public art commission, it was announced today.

The trio of proposals by artists Mark Wallinger, Richard Deacon and Daniel Buren were selected for "further development" from a shortlist of five as part of the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project.

The £2 million commission has been dubbed the "Angel of the South" in reference to Antony Gormley's giant Angel of the North sculpture.

The winning design will eventually dominate the north Kent landscape standing as high as Nelson's Column at around 164ft (50m).

It is hoped the work will act as a symbol for the new Ebbsfleet Valley development and Ebbsfleet International railway station.

Planners aim to transform the area with up to 10,000 new homes, offices, shops and community facilities across a 400-acre site.

Victoria Pomery, director of Turner Contemporary in Margate and chairman of the project's selection panel, said: "The panel was very excited by all the submissions and has decided to take three forward for further development before making a final decision.

"We have asked Mark, Daniel and Richard to refine their proposals and to explore the engineering and cost feasibility in more detail. Our aim is to meet again in January to review their work in the light of this information."

Stephen Jordan, chairman of the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project, added: "With such an outstanding range of proposals, it's right that we now look carefully at the practical delivery of each and explore further funding options.

"After all, this commission will not just be here for years but for generations to come. With over 40,000 people commenting on the proposals at the Bluewater exhibition, this has not only been a monumental consultation exercise but one that has proved extremely useful and constructive."

The project is being privately financed by Eurostar, Land Securities and London and Continental Railways, the company behind High Speed 1.

Picture shows a mock-up of how the white horse sculpture could look.