Toppling of Colston prompts government to protect historic monuments

New legal safeguards are set to be introduced for historic monuments at risk of removal, seven months after the statue of Edward Colston was toppled from its plaque and thrown into Bristol’s docks.

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said that generations-old monuments “should be considered thoughtfully, not removed on a whim or at the behest of a baying mob”.

The legislation revealed in Parliament on Monday would require planning permission for any changes and a minister would be given the final veto.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Jenrick said: “We live in a country that believes in the rule of law, but when it comes to protecting our heritage, due process has been overridden. That can’t be right.

“Local people should have the chance to be consulted whether a monument should stand or not.

“What has stood for generations should be considered thoughtfully, not removed on a whim or at the behest of a baying mob.”

All historic statues, plaques and other monuments will now require full planning permission to remove, ensuring due process and local consultation in every case.

The proposed new law will make clear that historic monuments should be retained and explained, with the secretary of state able to “call in” any application and ensure the law is followed.

The government says that it will be the most significant new protection for England’s heritage since the 1967 Civic Amenities Act established Conservation Areas

Jenrick said: “We cannot – and should not – now try to edit or censor our past. That’s why I am changing the law to protect historic monuments and ensure we don’t repeat the errors of previous generations, losing our inheritance of the past without proper care.

“What has stood for generations should be considered thoughtfully, not removed on a whim, any removal should require planning permission and local people should have the chance to be properly consulted. Our policy in law will be clear, that we believe in explaining and retaining heritage, not tearing it down.”

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Culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, added: “I strongly believe that we should learn from our past – in order to retain and explain our rich history.

“The decisions we make now will shape the environment inherited by our children and grandchildren.

“It is our duty to preserve our culture and heritage for future generations and these new laws will help to do so.”

The new rules will also apply to unlisted historic plaques, memorials or monuments which will also require planning permission and Historic England to be informed.

Tweeting a link to Jenrick’s opinion piece, Bristol historian David Olusoga said: “You know, it’s almost as if they want to distract people from their lethally failed response to the pandemic and the consequences of a disastrous Brexit?”

The former Colston Tower looks over the empty plinth on which the statue of Edward Colston used to stand – photo: Martin Booth

Four people have been charged with criminal damage after the statue of Edward Colston was toppled from its plinth on June 7 2020 and thrown in the harbour.

Rhian Graham, 29, Milo Ponsford, 25, Jake Skuse, 32, and Sage Willoughby, 21, will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on January 25 for their first hearing.

Main photo: Martin Booth

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