Five teams of architects and sculptors were shortlisted from over 70 expressions of interest in the initial bid process which took place at the beginning of 2006.

The five project teams were then invited to prepare costed proposals and designs using an honorarium of £5,000 to assist with submissions.

Their final designs were considered by the selection panel and by The Prince of Wales. Some members of the public wrote in to express their views and these were taken into account when the selection committee considered all the submissions.

The project was awarded to Donald Buttress working in conjunction with Donald Insall Associates.