Controversial 9/11 ‘shard of steel’ proposal put on hold

Last month we reported on a highly charged consultation meeting where historian Simon Schama made the case for the artwork and families of Britons who died in the twin towers voiced their opposition to the public display of the wreckage in which their loved ones' remains were scattered.

The artwork by Miya Ando – intended for the lawn immediately adjacent to City Hall – was to have been the centrepiece of an educational programme to be launched on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001.

The sculpture was described by the project's founder, Peter Rosengard, as a "shard of steel" to complement the Shard of Glass tower currently under construction in Southwark.

Planning permission was granted by Southwark Council last year but in order to install the artwork the scheme's promotors, the 9/11 London Project, must also secure the support of the Potters Fields Park Management Trust.

The proposal has been opposed by the September 11 UK Families Support Group and the Shad Thames Residents' Association.

"In response to the concerns that have been expressed and in order to ensure that nothing threatens the impact or effectiveness of the launch and development of the education programme we have decided to extend the consultation period regarding the artwork," the project trustees told The Guardian this week.

"This means that any decision on the artwork will be deferred until after September and the artwork will play no part in the events relating to the launch of the education programme."