In well documented circumstances in June 2020 the statue of Edward Colston was pulled down in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest, due to Edward Colston’s involvement in the slave trade. Shortly after these events an application for planning permission and listed building consent was made for the temporary installation of ‘A Surge of Power (Jen Reid)’, a statue of a black female protestor, atop the empty statue plinth. Bristol City Council failed to determine the applications, and an appeal to the Secretary of State was made. Anjoli Foster appeared on behalf of the Appellant in the appeal before a Planning Inspector this week. The appeal raises highly topical issues of contested heritage, and diversity and inclusivity in public spaces. A decision on the appeal is awaited.