An application has been accepted by Winchester City Council planning officers to construct a bronze statue of a medieval Jewish businesswoman in Winchester.

The statue will be of Licoricia of Winchester, and her son Asher, which will stand on a plinth in the forecourt of Winchester Discovery Centre in Jewry Street.

This comes after a fundraising project by the Licoricia of Winchester Appeal. The project's website has a target of a VIP unveiling of the statue in February.

The city council's planning report said: “The statue is considered to enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and will add visual interest, as well as providing knowledge about this little known medieval community.

“It is hoped that the statue will provide an opportunity to educate Winchester's population and visitors about its medieval past and Jewish community and that it will be a lasting enhancement to the city.

“Educational materials and a website will further increase the knowledge of Licoricia and her community.”

The plan received no objections, with one comment in its support from the City of Winchester Trust. It said: “The Trust feels this is an exciting and interesting proposal for a statue which will be appropriate for the site and supports this application.”

Licoricia was prominent in business in the 13th century and was murdered in the city in 1277.

The statue will highlight the role played by the Jewish community before their expulsion by Edward I in 1290.

Close to Henry III, Licoricia helped finance Westminster Abbey and carved out a successful career in the 13th century against considerable odds. This was very unusual for women of the time, and she managed it whilst bringing up a family and in the face of increasing persecution.

William Carver submitted the planning application and is from the Licoricia of Winchester Appeal.

He said: “We are very excited that we have raised the funds for the statue, and that it has now been sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley and cast into bronze. The plinth will include the message ‘Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself’ from both the New and Old Testaments which is the core of what we wish to communicate. The script will be in Albertus font, developed by a refugee from Nazism. We are looking forward immensely to the unveiling which we hope will be next spring.”