By Julia Breens

Two Thringstone statues with links to 'Big Ben' are set for a new home in the county.

The statues of the Virgin Mary and Pope St Gregory I, based in the chapel at the former Grace Dieu Manor School since 1848, were commissioned, and possibly designed, by Augustus Pugin, a renowned Victorian Architect who also created the chapel's north aisle.

Pugin's work included the iconic Elizabeth Tower – often called 'Big Ben', which is the name of the bell it houses – but he was also responsible for designing the interior of the Palace of Westminster when it was reconstructed in the mid-1800s after a catastrophic fire in 1834.

After the shock announcement that it was closing as a school in 2020, Grace Dieu Manor has been reopened as a football academy, and plans have been submitted to move the statues to nearby Ratcliffe College as a result.

A joint planning application has been filed with both Charnwood Borough Council, where Ratcliffe College is located, and North West Leicestershire District Council, where Grace Dieu Manor is based.

Both buildings are grade II listed.

Planning documents state that in the future the building – while still in use as a football academy – has the potential to be used for licensed ceremonies and "secular functions" where Catholic statues may not be suitable.

Therefore, the Virgin Mary and Pope St Gregory I will have a new home at Ratcliffe College.

Based in Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Ratcliffe College – a Catholic independent school – is said to be a suitable new home for the statues as Pugin also designed the college's chapel, along with several stained glass windows in the building.

Born in London in 1812, Pugin became a highly respected architect, designing many churches in England, Ireland and even Australia.

He created Alton Castle in Staffordshire, and had a key role in extending nearby Alton Towers. He was also well-known for the many stained glass windows he designed. After a breakdown in 1852, he was admitted to London's Bethlem Royal Hospital – commonly known as Bedlam – and died later that year.

The planning documents continue: "The intention is to move the statues to the original Pugin Chapel at Ratcliffe College, although this is no longer in active use as a place of worship.

They would be placed in the vicinity of the former sanctuary in the context of decorative stained glass and hammerbeam truss roof structure, designed by Pugin also.

The relocation of the statues to a contemporary and closely associated school building that provides a liturgical setting provides an opportunity for them to enrich and contribute to the significance of Ratcliffe College."