‘Eyesore’ Prince Philip statue removed from Cambridge centre after breaching planning rules

The Cambridge Don statue, representing Prince Philip, has been taken down.

Following a dispute between Cambridge City Council and the property firm Unex, a Public Inquiry ruled that the statue must be permanently removed.

The four metre sculpture was created to honour Prince Philip’s legacy of 35 years as chancellor of the University of Cambridge and had stood at Hills Road .

The property firm Unex commissioned the statue and was told earlier this year that it was in breach of planning regulations.

Unex had previously appealed a city council enforcement notice to have the statute removed and denied that it needed planning permission as it was not fixed to the ground, but the Planning Inspectorate sided with Cambridge City Council and dismissed Unex’s appeal.

The Cambridge Don stood at Hills Road (Image Credits: Youtube)

The bronze figure has sparked controversy since its erection, with political commentator Phil Rodgers calling the statue an “eyesore”.

He said on X: “Fantastic news … that an enforcement notice has been served to remove this eyesore in Hills Road.”

City councillor Katie Thornburrow similarly voiced her opposition to the statue on her website: “It has been described as ‘kitsch-like’ and “detritus masquerading as public art'”.

She added: “Nobody, apart from the wealthy property developer that commissioned it, seems to have a good word to say about it”.

Cambridge City Council has released a statement welcoming the Planning Inspectorate’s decision. A spokesperson said: “The statue was erected without planning permission and was in breach of planning control like anything erected without the correct permission.

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Given its size and location in the New Town and Glisson Road conservation area it would have been unlikely to receive planning approval even if it had been sought because it would have contravened national and local planning policies.”

The statue was first noticed to have been removed on the 28th September, and the plinth has since been covered.

Unex has been approached for comment.

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Feature Image Credits: Youtube