Plan to place statue of businessman at Furness Abbey, Barrow

It was at Furness Abbey in Barrow that Sir John Laing, who was born in 1879, once prayed for his company in times of trouble. 

"The firm survived and later thrived, and he attributed this to a response to his prayers," says the design and access statement submitted in support of an application to Barrow Borough Council.

The statement says Sir John, who was born in Carlisle, felt 'forever indebted' to the abbey afterwards and that his grandson is leading efforts to have a statue erected to 'memorialise this event and the memory of his grandfather'.

Laing was one of the UK's biggest construction companies, with its projects including Coventry Cathedral and Berkeley nuclear power station. Sir John would give away the fortune he accrued to charitable causes.

The design and access statement, produced by GSSArchitecture, says the statue would be life-size and show 'Sir John Laing in a contemplative pose sitting on a bench'.

THOUGHTS: A sketch of the sculpture on the bench. Picture: Barrow Borough Council planning portal

"The appointed sculptor is Jim Butler, whose figurative works have included prominent national figures including Richard III, Lillie Langtry and the Queen Mother, and many other well-known historical figures," it says.

The bronze sculpture would be positioned on a wooden bench with its back to the railway line, and located at the centre of a semi-circular wall.

An archaeologist would be present during excavations for the foundations beneath the sculpture.

ARTIST: Jim Butler working on the sculpture in his studio. Picture: Barrow Borough Council planning portal

"The foundation itself will be reinforced concrete with a local-stone paving finish above," says the design and access statement.

"The impact on underground heritage assets will consequently be minimal."

The statement says the sculpture would 'meld into its setting without drawing attention to itself' and would have 'negligible impact on the setting of the abbey'.