Last night's meeting of Oakham Town Council showed councillors to be divided over the proposal to build a statue of the late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

Plans for a statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Oakham Library found favour with three members of Oakham Town Council's planning committee last night, June 28, with two councillors voting against the proposal and two abstaining.

The statue has been proposed by Rutland's Lord-Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Furness, who began fundraising for the sculpture in February at an Oakham Castle launch event. Read more about this event and the statue here.

Oakham Castle in Rutland hosted a luanch event for the development and erection of a statue of HM Queen Elizabeth following her death. Image credit: Nub News.

Councillor Paul Buxton told councillors: "Frankly, I don't think it looks like the late Queen. I think it could have been a bit more imaginative.

"Most people remember the Queen as a nice old lady in a two piece suit. This statue isn't really like her and the way people remember her. I'm not sure how useful it is for the town at the moment."

Councillor Buxton was concerned about the maintenance and repair of the statue and was told by the committee chairman Councillor Adam Lowe: "I don't know who is doing the maintenance or upkeep. It sits with Rutland County Council."

Councillor Hannah Williams was concerned about the effect the statue would have on biodiversity because planters would be moved to make space for it: "We are losing green space and it is being replaced with a very big piece of building."

A statue of the late Queen has been proposed for land outside Oakham Library. Image credit: Nub News.

Councillor Buxton claimed that Oakham in Bloom was not taking sides one way or the other but had agreed that a raised bed could be removed.

Support came from Councillor Joyce Lucas, who said the agents who submitted the application on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland had been very thorough. Councillor Lucas said: "There is no site better and I think it will just go ahead."

The final decision on the planning application rests with Rutland County Council.

However, it appears that, if erected, the upkeep of the statue will rest with Oakham Town Council. Read more about this here.

A statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II in Rutland will picture a younger queen in royal regalia with her corgis. Image credit: Hywel Pratley.

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