Approved

It’s coming up on chain-yourself-to-the-bulldozers time for the vocal—but possibly small—band of folks opposed to the erection of a Jane Austen statue in Winchester Cathedral’s Inner Close: Earlier this month, city officials granted the cathedral’s request for planning permission, clearing the way for construction to begin.

The swift approval, which came exactly one month after the cathedral submitted its formal application, means that sculptor Martin Jennings’ statue will likely be in place in time for next year’s commemoration of Austen’s 250th birthday, and for the flood of tourists the occasion will inevitably bring.

The Austen birthday “presents an opportunity to amplify her legacy in Winchester,” noted the planning officer’s report on the proposal. It’s not hard to see how an Austen statue located next to the cathedral in which Austen is buried could fit nicely with citywide plans that, according to the report, include a self-guided walking tour and efforts to get local businesses to offer Austen 250-themed products and services.

And, of course, bronze is forever: “The statue will provide a lasting legacy beyond the anniversary year and will continue to attract visitors beyond 2025,” the report notes.

It's never been clear how many people actually care about this statue one way or the other, but the angry voices have certainly been loud. To me, the vehemence of the opposition to the Austen statue during the six-year saga—all the talk of commercial pandering and wasted money and tourist invasions—has always seemed hilariously out of proportion to the object under discussion, which is, after all, just a six-foot bronze figure, not a Las Vegas casino with a giant fountain out front. (Although maybe that’s the next frontier! Austen’s Palace? The Janeagio? The MGM Chawton Grand?)

But hey—I don’t live in Winchester. I’m merely a past-and-probably-future tourist. Just call me part of the problem. Or perhaps the target audience.