A public inquiry will be held next month to consider an appeal against Northumberland County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the construction of a landmark to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth. Devonport Estates have appealed against the decision to refuse the construction of a landmark and associated development on 9.5 hectares of land at Cold Law, Stiddlehill Common, near Ridsdale. Controversy surrounding the building of the statue has long been a talking point around the local area, with the original plans to build the 56-metre (184ft) tall monument on the top of Cold Law Hill near Kirkwhelpington having been rejected by the Council in July 2019.