A statue of one of Lichfield’s most famous sons could finally be installed in the city this year after more than a decade of planning by local supporters.

Community group Darwin Walk Trust has formally lodged plans to install a 13-ft stainless steel statue of 18th century physician Erasmus Darwin at Cathedral Park. Calls for a monument dedicated to Darwin, the grandfather of naturalist Charles, date back to the early 1990s and the trust originally hoped to have it completed by 2004.

But funding for the £25,000 statue has stalled on several occasions and the trust is now pinning its hopes on the district council.

Talks have taken place with council bosses which could see the trust receiving all of its funding from a Section 106 community support payment from developer Taylor Wimpey, paid in exchange for permission to build the nearby Walsall Road housing development.

Trust chairman Stephen George said: “We are hopeful that this can be the year we finally get this done. I would like very much for us to finally unveil this tribute.

“We are hoping to receive our funding from the developer’s contribution to community funds. Once we get the go-ahead the statue could be made within a matter of weeks.

“I’m sure there is going to be a lot of public interest in it because it is a big matter for the city.”

Mr George said developer Taylor WImpey has also provisionally offered to build the brick plinth on which the monument will be placed.

Erasmus Darwin set up home in Beacon Street, Lichfield, in 1756 and was a leading figure in the city throughout the 18th century.

The steel monument presents four profiles of Erasmus, depicting his achievements as a doctor, poet, naturalist and philosopher.

It was designed by the late Lichfield artist and engraver John Sanders, who founded the Erasmus Darwin Walk and its Trust in 1986.

The former principal of Lichfield School of Art designed the statue a year before his death in June 2003.

The Erasmus Darwin Walk is a scenic route around Lichfield countryside, with scheduled walks held four times every year.