A statue of the late Queen set to be erected in Rutland's county town has been approved by the council despite receiving 41 objections.

With 33 letters of support, Rutland County Council approved the statue for siting behind the library where the peacock floral display currently sits. This will be relocated.

At this week's planning meeting about the statue, the council heard local opinion on the 7ft bronze sculpture and, ultimately, voted in favour of the addition.

The highly contested statue of HM Queen Elizabeth II was proposed by Rutland's Lord-Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Furness, was launched at a private Oakham Castle event in February.

It was first proposed that this state would cost £125,000.

Hywel Pratley is working on the statue. Image credit: LDRS.

Since the launch of the statue at the exclusive Oakham Castle event, and following backlash from local people about the expense during the cost-of-living crisis, the figure has allegedly been reduced.

Although the statue has been mostly funded through private donations, Oakham Town Council has donated £5,000 to the project, and it appears that they will be the authority who will be in charge of the upkeep of the addition.

The Mayor of Oakham Town Council hopes that this will be an attraction for tourists.

Rutland residents had their say, and Rutland County Council voted in favour. Image credit: Nub News.

The statue has provoked ongoing disunion across the county about affordability and patriotism, and has already been rejected, based upon location, by Rutland County Council once.

Despite this uncertainty, Sculptor, Hywel Pratley began crafting the statue months ago. It will feature a young Queen Elizabeth and two of her famous corgis.

The bronze pouring trial will begin this week, following the approval.