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National prayer landmark bigger than Angel of the North granted planning permission

by Marcus Jones

A new national landmark dedicated to answered prayers has been granted planning permission.

The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer will eclipse the size of the Angel of North and Brazil's Christ the Redeemer when it's built on the outskirts of Birmingham.

It's expected to attract 300,000 visitors to the Coleshill site each year contributing £9.3 million pounds to the local economy.

Having already received approval from North Warwickshire Council, planning has now been ratified by the Secretary of State meaning building will commence in Spring 2021 with the hope of completion in Autumn 2022.

Welcoming the news, Richard Gamble, who came up with the idea, said: "It's been 16 years since the idea was first born. To finally receive the official consent is incredible. 

"We are building a very special landmark and it is an amazing opportunity for the British people to leave a legacy of hope for future generations."

The landmark will be made up of one million bricks - each representing a story of a prayer from someone around the world which has been answered by God. Visitors will be able to use a specially built app to track each brick's story.

Christians are being encouraged to send in their answered prayers so they can be represented in the monument.

Gamble continues: "We want to celebrate and remember all the prayers that God has answered for individuals throughout our nation's history. 

"Each answered prayer could provide hope to those who visit. Our desire is to create thought-provoking public art and offer a space for recreation and reflection for everyone. 

"Our hope is that those who visit will see how God can bring peace in life's storms and be encouraged to reflect on the power and relevance of prayer."

Standing at 169 feet, the landmark will also host a visitor centre, cafe, bookstore and 24 hour on site chaplaincy service.

During its two year construction it will create 60 new jobs, while 20 full time positions will be filled thereafter.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and a member of the judging panel who decided on the design, said:  "I am delighted Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer has now finally got planning permission and work can get underway. 

"It's an incredibly ambitious, stunning project and is a landmark for the Midlands. 

"It has been a long process, but this landmark will serve as a place of hope for many, and one that will help us remember the Christian heritage of our nation. A massive thank you should go to everyone involved who has turned this vision into reality."

The project has cross denominational support. Rev Yinka Oyekan, president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain is one of several senior church leaders to give their backing. He said: "Eternal Wall will be a permanent reminder of the power embedded in prayer, a power that produces an irrepressible hope enabling the scaling of any mountain. It will also be a lasting symbol of what faith can accomplish."

Those wishing to contribute to the landmark with stories of answered prayers can do so at eternalwall.org.uk/testimony
 

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