A controversial 8ft replica Statue of Liberty is hoping to find a home in a health club.

The miniature version of America's most famous landmark upset planners when Alan Heather put it up at his Talkhouse pub in Wheatley Road, Stanton St John.

Pub owner Alan, of Brill Road, Horton-cum-Studley, was so annoyed when planning chiefs made him move a new fountain in the pub's courtyard that he switched it to the car park opposite and put up the replica as a "tongue-in-cheek" protest.

However, South Oxfordshire District Council voted to take enforcement action against the statue, as well as the fountain, spotlights and a burglar alarm box on the front of the building, top make him remove them. Now health club owners Oliver McGovern and Peter Barrett have bought the statue, and hope it will inspire their clients at Studio Health and Fitness Club, Queen Street, Abingdon, which opens on January 15 next year.

Oliver said: "We are looking for people to reach their fitness peaks. The statue could remind them of their dreams to get fitter and could inspire them. It's also a bit of fun."

Alan told the Oxford Mail in July about how he was embroiled in a row with planners over his plans for the 200-year-old Talkhouse pub.

He said when he put the fountain up, he did not know planning permission was needed. South Oxfordshire District Council told him the structure was too near to a listed building and was an urban fountain in a rural setting. They ordered it to be moved.

Alan said he then put in a retrospective planning application, which was turned down by planners.

An appeal against that decision was also lost.

The fountain was then moved into the car park but Alan was told he still needed permission.

That was when he decided to put up the statue in protest.

Story date: Thursday 23 December

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