Spitfire monument plans for Southampton backed
£500k is being pledged towards a sculpture of the iconic aircraft
Civic chiefs in Southampton have pledged to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds towards a monument to the iconic Spitfire.
Council bosses have backed a £500,000 investment towards the creation of the monument in Mayflower Park.
As reported, in 2020 the government granted £3m to the scheme while an extra £3m is expected to be raised.
The design involves a stainless-steel spitfire reproduction with a wingspan of 16m on a mast which is 40m high.
Southampton City Council has now pledged to work together with the National Spitfire Project Charity and funding partners to help bring this project forward.
According to official documents, the £500,000 set to be invested by the city council will be used for a number of initiatives including the development of funding submissions to support the project and a grant towards the National Spitfire Project Charity to undertake surveys, feasibility and design work.
Speaking at Wednesday’s (July 21st) full council meeting, Bargate Councillor Sarah Bogle said she was “surprised” to see that a business case has not been developed.
Cllr Warwick Payne said he backs the schemes but he added:
“But financial questions need to be asked.”
Opposition leader Cllr Satvir Kaur asked for reassurance about the investment.
She said:
“Sadly a detailed proposal for this project has not materialised. Labour support this project but believe that a more sensible approach is possible. We are prepared to back it if you come back with a more detailed and amended report.”
Council leader Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry said:
“We intend to get moving. We want to crack on with this. There’s some further information required and we will be bringing this forward.”
He added:
“It will be an incredible project not only for our heritage, cultural offer and our journey to the City of Culture bid. It demonstrates what we can do in a very iconic place. This is one of the monuments and places in our city which is very much the heart and soul of who we are.”
Plans for a lasting tribute to the iconic World War Two aircraft, which was built in Southampton and played a major role in the successful defence of the UK from Nazi Germany, have been in the pipeline for several years.
The Conservatives voted in favour of the £500,000 investment. Labour abstained.