BILLERICAY will have a new sculpture in its high street after a planning application was granted.

Jane Bennett, of Bennett Funerals, in High Street, asked Basildon Council for permission to put a sculpture of a Billericay Heritage Tree on the side of its building.

Basildon Council officers approved permission for the 4.5m high tree which will be designed by Thrussells, a Cornwall-based company.

It will have four or five panels depicting the events and culture of Billericay.

The designs have yet to be finalised, but Thrussells has come up with some ideas.

These include a central panel which could feature a detailed drawing of The Mayflower ship, a symbol of the town.

Other panels could include one dedicated to leisure in the town, with Lake Meadows, the Red Lion pub, and a book representing the Reading Rooms.

An industry panel is also being considered, which could feature a historic railway scene, complete with steam train, brick makers and watercress, which used to be an important crop in the area.

Other ideas include history and natural history.

Planning documents read: “Bennett’s Funerals has been in existence for 125 years.

“To celebrate the dace, the director wanted to create a feature that would celebrate both the firm’s longevity and Billericay’s unique heritage, hence the Heritage Tree application.”

The company believes that the tree will help to “realise local aspirations to strengthen Billericay’s identity and enhance public realm”.