A new community near Oxford could be getting eight new pieces of art in one of its public parks if plans are permitted. 

The application is for Fallaize Park which is part of the Oxford North Development, just off the A34 near the Peartree Interchange. 

Once completed Oxford North will comprise one million sq ft of laboratories and workspaces for science and technology companies, 480 new homes, and amenities including a market square, hotel, nursery, cafe, bar and three public parks.

The artwork will resemble eight planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. 

READ MORE: Inside the Narnia themed treehouse with magic wardrobe door

CGI of Oxford North art (Image: Oxford City Council) The developer says they relate to "Oxford North’s aim of creating an innovative, interdisciplinary environment that combines life, work, and education". 

The two-acre Fallaize Park has been named in honour of Professor Elizabeth Fallaize (1950 - 2009) who was St John's College first female fellow and pro-vice chancellor of the University of Oxford.

In the application's planning statement, it said: “Olafur Eliasson and Studio Olafur Eliasson’s proposal works to enhance Oxford North's public space with an artwork that supports the project's ambitions of sustainability, innovation, and community.

"The studio’s diverse, interdisciplinary team parallels the collaborative spirit of the scientists, technologists, and innovators Oxford North aims to attract.

CGI of Oxford North art (Image: Oxford City Council) “Eight glass polyhedrons, each elevated four metres above ground, are arranged within Oxford North's central landscape, following the orbits of the planets that comprise our solar system.

"Each polyhedron is unique with its own complex geometry, which is part of the artist’s aesthetic vocabulary that has been developed over the past 30 years.”

It added: “Each polyhedron is composed of a stainless-steel framework and coloured glass faces.

"While various hues of glass come into play, there is a single colour palette per form, with palettes derived from the dominant tones in telescopic images of the bodies of our solar system.

"The polyhedrons are each held aloft by a tripod, which sits on a hard surface and is stabilised by a wooden ring complementing the palette of other materials on site. 

“Polyhedrons will be lit from within in the evenings, following the same scheme of site curfew on lighting which is typically 11pm-7am.

"The power on and off will be co-ordinated with general park lighting and will conform to any approved lighting strategies. 

“Collaboration with other entities, such as Modern Art Oxford and the IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival, in the development of a communities engagement programme, will add depth and continuing relevance for this public work from its delivery in 2025 and decades into the future.”

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About the author  

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government. 

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years. 

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby