'Rather ugly' Cambridge Don statue removed
The near four-metre-tall statue, known as the Cambridge Don, is meant to represent Prince Philip
A "rather ugly" bronze sculpture representing Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, which was erected without planning permission, has been removed from its position outside an office building in Cambridge.
The near four-metre-tall statue, known as the Cambridge Don, depicts a faceless figure in traditional academic clothing, including a black and gold gown and mortar board cap.
The figure is said to represent Philip in his role as vice chancellor of the University of Cambridge, according to an appeal decision by the Planning Inspectorate.
Local councillor Katie Thornburrow described the sculpture in a blog post as "generally considered to be rather ugly".
Cambridge City Council brought an enforcement notice against the sculpture, which weighs some 3,000kg.
The Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal by property firm Unex Ltd - which owns office building Charter House, where the sculpture was sited in Hills Road in Cambridge - against Cambridge City Council's enforcement notice.
Photos shared online in recent days show a patch of soil where the sculpture once stood.
The Planning Inspectorate's decision notice said the sculpture had previously been displayed at other locations on Hills Road and had been in the same place since March 2023.
Cambridge City Council previously said it welcomed the planning inspector's decision to dismiss the appeal brought against its enforcement notice.
"The statue was erected without planning permission and was in breach of planning control like anything erected without the correct permission," a spokesperson for the council said.
"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.
"As we have said throughout this process, it's frustrating that the council has had to spend time and money to achieve this outcome, but the inspector's decision makes it very clear that planning policies are in place for a reason and should be respected."
The Planning Inspectorate published its decision on September 11, which gave the landowner four months to remove the sculpture and restore the land to its former condition.