In January we reported on the submission of our planning application to position the proposed statue of Mary Clarke in Brighton’s New Road, opposite the Theatre Royal.
We are delighted to report that the application has been agreed, very appropriately on 26 February just before International Women’s Day on 8th March. There was a great deal of public interest in the application and many letters of support and we are so grateful for that. See the comments at https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=T6QV3XDM0K500
In particular we have been very thankful for the support of local business people who are eager to be part of this historic road’s regeneration. Also for the support of councillors, local members of parliament and numerous council officers who have worked with great professionalism to help. We thank them for their understanding.
This is an accessible site close to the historic buildings where so many suffrage meetings were held and in sight of the Royal Pavilion, which hosted many suffragette meetings including Mary’s own memorial meeting after her death. We chose the site following advice from Brighton & Hove
City Council Heritage Planners and Highways Engineers and discussion with Cllr Jacob Taylor, as well as further consultation with key local trusts and businesses. We are very grateful to them all.
We recognise that there were two or three objections to our application, mostly focussed on road safety and fear of vandalism. We understand these concerns. We are well aware there have been problems of anti-social behaviour in this road and also unsafe movement of traffic – often through the area designated for street furniture, where this statue would be sited. However, we are confident there are effective ways to address these challenges.
We are committed to continuing to work with the City Council and local businesses to find solutions to 
any problems. In commons with the many individuals and institutions that supported us, we firmly believe that the statue will play a crucial role in ongoing plans to both regenerate the road and make it safe.
In her comments on the application, local Ward Councillor Ellen McLeay, stressed the links between commemorating Mary – who was a survivor of domestic abuse as well as a victim of state violence – and Council policy. Ellen McLeay wrote:
“The ethos behind this statue aligns with commitments
already made by Brighton & Hove City Council to support women and girls. This includes the ambition to become the UK capital of women and girls’ sport and BHCC’s work to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by 50% over the next decade. At a time when women’s rights are being undermined in many parts of the world, commemorating the struggle that secured women the vote in the UK feels especially important.”
“With a female-led council, including both the Leader and the Chief Executive, this statue reflects the democratic principles at the heart of our city. It represents the 50% whose voices went unheard for far too long.”
The Appeal still needs to raise a further £35,000, but we can write about that another day.
For now all we want to do is to say thank you to everyone. Thank you so much.
Jean Calder, Chair of Trustees