A secret plan to build a giant replica of the Rio De Janeiro statue of Christ The Redeemer close to the summit of Primrose Hill has been uncovered by the New Journal.
Wikipedia says Primrose Hill is a hill of 256 feet (78Â m) located on the north side of Regent’s Park in London, England, and also the name for the surrounding district.
The hill has a clear view of central London. The district is one of the most exclusive and expensive residential areas in London and is home to many notable residents.
The scheme, which is yet to go before the Town Hall’s planning department, is to be funded by the Brazilian government to celebrate the end of the London 2012 Olympics and mark the moment the city of Rio takes on the Olympic mantle for the 2016 Games.
But the proposal, based on the world famous statue which overlooks Rio from the heights of Corcovado mountain, is already dividing opinion.
The London Evening Standard also says
The project, funded by the Brazilian government, has already divided opinion in the celebrity neighbourhood that is home to Kate Moss, amid fears it will ruin the view.
The plans are so sensitive that London consultants hired by the Brazilians are quietly consulting residents before submitting their plans to Camden council.
Residents who have not yet seen the designs have been told the proposed replica could be up to 30 feet high. The statue, which the Brazilians want “close to the pinnacle” of Primrose Hill, would be visible for miles from one of the highest points in the capital.
Some local residents says they wouldn’t object as long as the statue is meant to be a temporary feature.
But, the Camden New Journal notes, Primrose Hill Lib Dem councillor Chris Naylor said he wasn’t sure a 30ft statue of Christ with his arms outstretched was quite what the area needed.
Note: This slightly tangential item introduces a new category: Religion News on a Tangent. It will see occasional posts.
Meanwhile, we’ve started to keep track of offbeat religion news on a new website: Church Around The Corner.