Chichester statue of Lord Nelson will not be allowed to stay

Chichester’s plan to leave a statue of Lord Nelson permanently in place has been rejected after a planning application was turned down. The resin-and-bronze sculpture, depicting Nelson alongside Sir George Murray, had initially received approval in 2020 for a five-year display outside The Council House on North Street. A one-year extension was granted in 2025, and the city council later sought permission to keep it there indefinitely. A planning officer refused the proposal, citing that the resin would deteriorate over time and could harm the Conservation Area and the setting of a Grade II* listed building. The council’s conservation and design officer said the statue’s external lifespan is estimated at 10–30 years, and that it would fade, soften, and crack. The officer also criticized its proportions compared with typical public statues.