Plans for a four-metre-high wooden sculpture at a lookout point on the North Downs Way have been revealed.

Named the Coppice Oratory, it is envisaged to become a space for reflection for modern-day pilgrims travelling along the route through King’s Wood, near Canterbury and Ashford.

Its planned location in the 1,450-acre forest above Godmersham is the point on the Pilgrims Way where the city's cathedral becomes visible to walkers.

The sculpture - made from coppiced chestnut - will face towards the landmark seven miles away in the distance.

The team behind the scheme earmarked for the Forestry Commission-owned plot say there will be no direct impact on protected species as a result of construction.

Papers lodged with Ashford Borough Council state: “Today’s idea of a pilgrim might not be driven by religious motives, as they are those who appreciate the reflective qualities of spending time in nature and walking along a prescribed route.

“This public oratory will be intimate. No direct Christian symbolism will be used, the oratory aims to be an inclusive space for all faiths and secular people who wish to use the space of reflection.

“This will be an artwork that you can enter, sit down in and enjoy the landscape from.

“It is located precisely where the Cathedral is first visible along the historic route from Winchester to Canterbury.”

The wood used to build the wheelchair-friendly oratory, which is being designed by Dutch sculptor Fake Matthijs la Roi, will be from the forest.

King’s Wood was historically a royal hunting forest and still boasts a large herd of free-roaming fallow deer.

The scenic woodland is already home to a number of sculptures, however most of them are located closer to the Challock side of the sprawling site.

The plans for the new artwork are due to be determined by the council in the coming weeks.