Lichfield City Council has applied for planning permission to put up new railings around Samuel Johnson statue in Market Square.
The proposal would see the introduction of replica railings to those that originally stood around the monument before they were removed during World War Two and melted down.
The council said that the railings would provide additional protection for the Grade 2* listed statue.
A heritage statement supporting the application said: “The railings are to be fixed to the existing bollard positions so no extra damage will be done to the statue plinth and there is no change to the amount of usable space around the statue.
“A gate has been included to the south of the statue to allow for the commemorative ceremony and laying of the wreath on Dr Johnson’s birthday every year.
“The railings still allow for the easy viewing of the illustrated reliefs at the base of the statue but will prevent the public touching and potentially damaging the reliefs.”
The new railings will stand 1.5m high.
The statement added: “The proposed railings will match in style and material the original railings that look to be of the same period of the statue which was built in 1838.
“The bottom string of the railings will lay upon the floor to resemble the original fixings to the floor though the railings will only be fixed to the floor at the points where the existing bollards are to prevent any excess damage.
“The decorative finials and corner posts will be as close as possible match to the original railings.”
Full details are available on the Lichfield District Council planning website.
