Rainbow sheep and a pink chalk escarpment were the elements in an 'Art in the Landscape 'project funded by Surrey County Arts, Arts Council England and Awards for All England.

The 'Quarry 2' project by artist Lee Simmons 'was intended to raise awareness of environmental issues, and explore our relationship with the landscape in which we live and with each other.'

The event took place at Betchworth Quarry during the weekend of 24/25 June 2006, with help from the local fire brigade who helped distribute the pink powder and volunteers who helped paint sheep with different coloured dyes.

But local outrage in the project raised many questions about how and why this project was allowed to go ahead in such a sensitive area without public consultation.

The key issues that have been raised are:

1. Why were no Parish Councils informed of this activity?

2. Why was this project allowed to proceed by Surrey Hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?

3. Why were local campaign groups, such as CAMEL not informed given the sensitive nature of the plans for quarrying in the area?

4. Why were County and District councillors not informed?

5. Why were these issues not raised by Mole Valley District Council who knew of the project prior to it happening?

Lee Simmons claims that it was important to highlight the environment and use of land but she deemed it unnecessary to involve those very groups that are heavily involved in drawing attention to the potential toxic nature of the quarry itself AND the blight of quarrying threatened at Betchworth

Lee did recognise that she could have consulted better and said that she has learnt a lot from the exercise.

While many have criticised the quarry project for its 'art', it has unfortunately now created a huge feeling of resentment and animosity from local residents who feel that the organisations involved are simply aggravating a very difficult situation.

July 2006