PLANS for a sculpture in Kirkwhelpington dedicated to the Queen have been submitted to the county council.

Landowner, Lord Devonport wants to build a new public landmark, commissioned to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth, on the summit of Cold Law – a hillside near Kirkwhelpington.

The county council will now have to decide whether to give the 56-metre (184ft) tall monument the green light.

The aim is to provide a new tourism destination, with a viewing area, small car park and pathways accessible to walkers and cyclists as well as motorists – bringing new visitors to the area and boosting the local economy.

Known as the Elizabeth Landmark, the idea for the £1m, sculpture was first revealed last May by Lord Devonport.

It is set to surpass the height of the Angel of the North, which stands at 20 metres.

Three artists had been commissioned to produce proposals and in August it was announced that ‘Ascendant’, by Simon Hitchens, had been chosen as the design after impressing both the selection panel and the public.

Artist Simon Hitchens said his concept would be made of steel and was inspired by the rugged local landscape

The viewing area would be oval-shaped, with a stone bench and a sheltered space.

There are also plans for a bronze map on a stone plinth, giving information about the landscape and history of the surroundings.

There would be no toilets, visitor centre or amenities and signage would be used to direct visitors to facilities, including pubs and shops, in Ridsdale, West Woodburn, Sweet Hope Loughs, Knowesgate and Kirkwhelpington.