In June last year, we reported on the trustees’ decision to change the planned site of the proposed statue to a 
prominent position in New Road, opposite the Theatre Royal.
Our initial proposal was to erect the statue in the Pavilion Gardens near the entrance to the Museum, where most visitors and crucially all school parties would have seen it. Though there was widespread community support, this was opposed by the Royal Pavilion and Museum’s Trust (RPMT). As a consequence, and following advice from Brighton & Hove City Council Heritage Planners and Highways Engineers, we proposed a new site on New Road opposite the Theatre Royal. This is an accessible site close to the historic buildings where so many suffrage meetings were held and in sight of the Royal Pavilion within which Mary’s memorial meeting was held.
Following several months of quiet consultation with local councillors, planners, highways engineers, community associations and conservationists – and crucially neighbours and businesses within New Road – our planning application BH2025/02949 has now been submitted. Public comments will be accepted up until the 16th of February. We hope that interested local people will comment in support of this application using the following link: https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=T6QV3XDM0K500. Even a few sentences will have great impact.
Our application has focussed on the statue’s educational and cultural value, raising issues of women’s rights,
equality and democracy. Also Mary’s and the suffragettes’ historic connection with New Road, The Dome and the Royal Pavilion. We have stressed our conviction that the statue will increase footfall, attracting many visitors and tourists. In particular, we believe the statue could play a key role in the overall regeneration of New Road. We have stressed this point in our planning application, referring to a need to promote public safety, calm traffic and ‘design out’ the anti-social behaviour which has troubled this area.
For more information please look at “The Hidden History of Mary Clarke – Revised and Updated” which can be found on this website under the heading of “History” . This is an account of Mary’s life, along with a description of the design and the new proposed site. Printed copies are also available.
Please contact us with any comments or ideas via jeancalder.mcsa@gmail.com.