Replacement sceptre at King George III Statue, Weymouth
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Dorset Western and Southern Area Planning Committee on 2 Oct 2025.
What was proposed
The application proposed replacing the missing sceptre on the King George III Statue.
“Description of site 4.1 King George III Statue is Grade I Listed and located within the Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area in a prominent position at the junction of Esplanade, Westham Road and St Thomas Street. As stated within the submitted Heritage and Design and Access Statements, the statue is an iconic landmark along Weymouth seafront. This statue, to commemorate the 50 th year of the reign of King George III, was erected in 1809/10.”
Officer report
Earlier works and applications
Earlier records concern restoration works and a 2025 enquiry about reinstalling the sceptre.
“Background and relevant planning history 07/00158/LBC3 - Decision: GRA - Decision Date: 22/11/2007 Restoration works to include some repainting, limewashing and re-gilding.”
“P/PDE/2025/00190 - Decision: Response given - Decision Date: 17/06/2025 Re-install sceptre to statue (missing since mid-1960s).”
Officer report
The officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended listed building consent because the replacement would enhance the statue and cause no harm to heritage assets or the conservation area.
“This has been highlighted within Historic England’s comments. The proposal would see the sceptre reinstated bringing the statue back to the original condition. The submitted statement states that this will enhance the experience for locals and visitors to the town as the statue is open for all to visit and view at all times. It is considered that the proposal would enhance the statue and complete the scene bring the statue back to the original condition.”
“It is concluded that the proposal would enhance the special architectural and historic interest of this heritage asset and therefore would not result in harm to the significance of the Listed structure. The proposal would not result in harm to the neighbouring Listed buildings nor the special character and local distinctiveness of the Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area.”
Officer report
Consultation and representations
The town council welcomed the proposal, Historic England supported it with detail requested, and no public representations were received.
“Consultations All consultee responses can be viewed in full on the website. Consultees 1. Weymouth Town Council - The Council warmly welcomes the proposals. Melcombe Regis Ward – no comments received. Historic England - Historic England supports proposals to replace sceptre to King George III Statue in Weymouth, however the application does not include any details of the design, materials or fixings.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
Listed building consent was granted subject to conditions controlling the start date, approved plans, and detailed sceptre design, size and fixings.
“Summary of Recommendation: Grant subject to conditions. Decision: That listed building consent be granted subject to the following conditions. The work to which this listed building consent relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date on which the consent is granted.”
“Prior to installation detailed drawings and specifications showing the design, size and fixings of the replacement sceptre shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority and agreed in writing. Thereafter, the works shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed details.”
Minutes
Sources
- Dorset Western and Southern Area Planning Committee minutes, 2 October 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Dorset's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Dorset
- Date
- Thursday 2 October 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Dorset committee decisions →
This committee's year
6 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 1 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.