Feasibility study

The Lost Town is one of four winning projects in the Landmark East Competition, initiated and run by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). The ‘prize’ for the winners was funding from EEDA for feasibility studies aimed at enabling the teams behind each project to establish feasibility and then progress to fundraising and delivery.

A feasibility study for the first site – at Dunwich – was undertaken between September 2004 and April 2005 and was funded by the EEDA. Although the sculptures were technically feasible, the project faced a range of issues if it was to be located in Dunwich.

However, there was strong admiration for the concept so in autumn 2005 Niemann Ingrisch carried out a review of alternative sites comparing six coastal towns in the East of England. During this study, we found another site, which looked very promising: Walton-on-the-Naze
in Essex.

This study, referred to as the Walton feasibility review (WFR) was carried out between October 2006 and February 2007. Its intention was to build on the preceding studies and review the feasibility of the project in its new environment. This work was carried out by
Niemann Ingrisch (project management), Ove Arup & Partners, Davis Langdon LLP and Dovetail Management Consultancy.

The study covers the following aspects:
- Development of the design scheme
- Engineering
- Transportation and visitor concept
- Consents and planning policy
- Environment, ecology and archaeology
- Public consultations
- Project costs
- Fundraising and delivery vehicle

This report also highlights the next steps that have to be taken to move the project towards realisation.

To read the feasibility study executive summary, click here.