IPSWICH: Planning permission has been granted for a town sculpture honouring Cardinal Wolsey.The tribute to Thomas Wolsey is to be built outside Curson House, opposite Curson Lodge, on the corner of St Nicholas Street and Silent Street.

IPSWICH: Planning permission has been granted for a town sculpture honouring Cardinal Wolsey.

The tribute to Thomas Wolsey is to be built outside Curson House, opposite Curson Lodge, on the corner of St Nicholas Street and Silent Street.

The site marks the spot where the famous cardinal proposed to retire.

The bronze statue will be made by David Annand, of Fife in Scotland, who was selected from a number of artists from around the world after applications for the prestigious task were sought.

John Blatchly, chairman of patrons for the Wolsey artwork project, said: “We in Ipswich wish to portray Thomas Wolsey, our most famous son, in his birthplace because we feel that such a commemoration is much overdue.

“Other British towns and cities have done the same for their most famous sons long ago.

“The theme is to be Wolsey the enlightened teacher, schooled here in his birthplace, wishing to establish a great school which would survive him.”

The statue is to reflect a seated figure of Wolsey, with a book in one hand and the other hand raised as if he were teaching.

Mr Blatchly added: “Our statue will be a celebration of all that is best and most enduring about teaching and learning in Ipswich and Suffolk ever since, and into the future.”

In October, a �100,000 appeal was launched to raise money for the artwork.

Born in 1471, Wolsey was an English statesman and a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.

When Henry VIII became king of England in 1509, Wolsey became the King's almoner. By 1514 he had become the controlling figure in virtually all matters of state and was extremely powerful within the church. The highest political position he attained was Lord Chancellor, the King's chief adviser.