Much work needs to be done before any firm plans for the Cloud Gallery can be put into effect.

We are in the process of preparing a progress report to Shropshire Council and other key stakeholders. The report will assess the achievements and experiences to date in setting up the project and running a number of public events, and it will present an outline plan for taking the project forward.

The report will set out a preliminary scope of feasibility study that will be required to be carried out. This will include a wide range of considerations, such as the long term functioning of the gallery, community support and needs, site condition, building design, environmental impacts and whole-life costs. A key outcome of the study will be a business plan for The Cloud Gallery. This will ensure the economic case for the project is sound and that it can be sustained into the future.

Fundamentally, we will need to secure funding. Funding may include regional or local government sources, or commercial sponsors. Funds are needed for each stage of the project from the feasibility study through to the construction and operation.

The collaborative nature of the project and method of construction should allow much of the funding to be gained incrementally and we are confident that cost will not be a barrier.

It is envisaged that if the Cloud Gallery is to be built on public owned land, then we would work in partnership with the main project promoter and funder. At that stage, the Cloud Gazers will need to establish a formal organisation with charitable status.

We are keen to get more people involved to work with us and we held a creative outdoor eco-architecture weekend in September 2007 to explore straw bale building techniques. The Cloud Space installation and artists' walk and Thinking Space seminar events in February 2008 also involved collaborative working. (See Events). These events successfully brought together many people with a range of interests and experience, from the local community and from further afield. We intend to maintain links with our supporters and build working relationships.