Proposals for £50k Battle of Worcester sculpture

The new sculpture would be located in Sidbury

Proposals for how Worcester City Council could spend £5m of government levelling-up funding include a "new national monument".

The sculpture, which would commemorate the Battle of Worcester, would be designed by Ken Potts, who made the Elgar Statue located on High Street.

The steel structure, planned for Sidbury, is expected to cost £50,000.

The funding was announced by the government in March, with the council given a deadline of 10 May to submit its plans.

The council has also drawn up a list of other proposed projects that could benefit from the cash.

Under the conditions set by the government, the money must be spent on cultural projects by March 2026.

David Blake, Worcester City Council managing director, said: "The proposed projects are designed to build on previous successes in Worcester, support the aims of our cross-party City Plan, and to fit into three broad themes – education through heritage, community arts, and outdoor performance."

The proposals include the following:

• £1.6m to create space for more events and exhibitions at the Corn Exchange

• £900,000 to create a sustainable events venue at Pitchcroft with improved access, better security and standing facilities, plus power and water

• £742,000 to refurbish the grade II listed Gheluvelt Park bandstand and build new performance and family social spaces at Cripplegate Park

• £65,000 for a mobile music vehicle that would travel to schools, venues and events in Worcester

• £22,000 for a portable outdoor stage to support the growing number of community festivals in the city

The Policy and Resources Committee will be meeting on 23 April to finalise the plans.