Villagers met in Kingfisher Drive in Bolnore under the 'Wings' in the playground to show their backing for all the works of art.

Some neighbours living opposite have criticised the art, which are the same height of the trees. These trees will be considerably taller next year.

But Bolnore Arts, which led the £30,000 scheme to produce four community artworks, say the project has the overwhelming support of residents.

More than 300 people on the new estate of 850 households were involved in some way in the scheme to put art at the very centre of the community.

The resulting four arts installations, sited throughout the village, include a sculpted seating arrangement, ears of wheat, life-size steel deer and the wings, and were unveiled last month marking the culmination of two years' hard work.

Professional artists Touchwood Trees were commissioned for their experience of not only working within diverse communities but also combining art with the environment, capturing the contrast between a modern housing estate and a location that is a local nature reserve surrounded by ancient woodland.

A questionnaire by Bolnore Arts carried out on the official launch day showed 90 per cent of people in the village thought the artworks were 'outstanding' or 'very good', seven per cent felt they were suitable and three per cent had no response.

Louise Smith, chair of the voluntary group which is a part of Bolnore Village Residents' Association, said: "The workshops were attended by a huge range of people, from the very young able to make simple mosaics to older people using power tools to shape the structures.

"This really was bringing people together through art."

In terms of consultation, they had leafleted 850 households three times, residents near art sites had been sent letters twice, banners and posters had been put up and they had doorstepped residents to canvas their views as well as going through the official planning application process.

Louise said: "At the planning meeting the councillors were 100 per cent behind us. Amazing art is unlikely to be liked by everyone, but we have tried so hard to consult everyone."

Councillor Jane Keel added: "The community involvement in the art has been terrific, seeing everyone come together to work with the artists has been very inspiring."

Workshops had been run for different groups, including men, mums, the retired and the youth to make sure they had everyone's views.

Bolnore Arts was, said Louise, fully accountable to its grant bodies and Mid Sussex District Council.

She added: "We want to make Bolnore stunningly beautiful but also a great community place to live."

Hannah Carter, fundraiser for Bolnore Arts, said they had started out with £10,000 from Crest Nicholson but had worked hard to raise more than another £20,000.

She added: "We've had kind donations from local organisations and businesses but we couldn't have done this without a £10,000 award from Awards for All (Big Lottery Fund) and £9,500 from Arts Council England."

She said: "This project has made a huge impact on people's lives and as said by one resident 'the art around the village is brilliant, art at the village heart'."

To comment on the Bolnore artwork, click here

Click here to read more about the artwork

Click here for a slideshow of the artwork