Cambridge City Council orders the removal of a controversial statue of Prince Philip due to lack of planning permission and overwhelming public criticism.
Cambridge City Council has announced the removal of a controversial statue of Prince Philip due to its lack of planning permission and significant public criticism. The 4-metre bronze sculpture, known as The Don, was erected by the Unex Group without authorization and has been criticized for its abstract design, which features the Duke of Edinburgh in academic robes with a face resembling a twisted owl mask. Despite being intended to commemorate Prince Philip’s 35 years as Chancellor of Cambridge University, the statue, valued at £150,000, was met with negative reviews, including an art critic who deemed it “detritus masquerading as public art.”
Authorities and residents have described the statue as “hideous” and “scary,” with some reports of it terrifying children. Furthermore, claims of Pablo Atchugarry being the artist behind The Don were refuted by Atchugarry himself, calling it an “abuse.” The enforcement notice issued by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service requires the statue’s removal by August 11, citing its “harmful material impact” on the area and the general consensus of its poor quality.
Cambridge City Councillor Katie Thornburrow expressed relief over the decision, highlighting the near-universal disapproval of the statue. The Unex Group defended the statue, with the chair, Bill Gredley, calling it a “spectacular piece of art,” although this view is not widely shared. The statue will be permanently removed unless the decision is appealed before the specified deadline.
