Earth Goddess Consultation Findings Published

The St Austell Town Team has published a summary of findings from the recent public consultation regarding the Earth Goddess sculpture, based on 474 responses from residents and stakeholders.

The results show a clear overall trend, with approximately 90% of respondents expressing support for the sculpture’s removal and relocation. The most common concern is that the piece feels out of place within the town centre, particularly in relation to its scale, visual impact, and surrounding environment.

Beyond the sculpture itself, many responses highlight broader concerns about the town centre. For some, the artwork has become a symbol of frustration around spending priorities, regeneration efforts, and the perceived lack of meaningful public consultation in decision-making processes.

While the majority view is in favour of relocation, a consistent minority of respondents expressed support for the sculpture as a piece of public art. These respondents describe it as vibrant, distinctive, and an important talking point, with some suggesting that its setting — rather than the sculpture itself — is the key issue.

A significant number of responses favour relocating the sculpture to a more appropriate setting. Suggested locations frequently include the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and Wheal Martyn Clay Works, as well as parks, gardens, or other green spaces where large-scale artworks are more commonly expected.

The consultation also highlights a strong desire for future town centre projects to better reflect St Austell’s unique identity. Respondents frequently referenced the importance of celebrating local heritage, particularly the town’s china clay and mining history, and called for greater community involvement in shaping future initiatives.

The findings further underline the importance of transparent and inclusive consultation processes. Many respondents expressed a desire to feel more engaged in decisions that affect the town, indicating that future projects would benefit from clearer communication and earlier public involvement.

The Town Team will now take these findings forward, sharing them with relevant stakeholders and exploring potential next steps to ensure that any future decisions reflect the views and priorities of the community.

The full consultation summary is available to read alongside this article.