The project was born in 2005 when Steve Geliot submitted a proposal to Brighton and Hove City Council's New Commissions scheme which is supported by Arts Council England's Urban Cultural Programme. They had invited ideas on a postcard from anyone interested and the Compton Skyline Project made it onto the shortlist.
The opinion of the Compton Road residents was canvassed through conversations, leaflets and a series of informal meetings. The response was very positive from a wide range of people and, when funding for the infrastructure of the project was secured, a steering group was formed. Local digital animator Dan Mellor produced virtual images of the proposed installation which were later shown at Brighton's Fabrica.
Further funding was obtained from Arts Council England's Grants for the Arts scheme to extend the project so that a number of professional artists could be commissioned to collaborate with people from the visual catchment area in an outreach project.