PLANS for a statue of Nelson Mandela in Glasgow city centre have taken a step forward as planning permission was renewed. 

A statue of the former South African president and anti-apartheid activist is set to be installed Nelson Mandela Place which was renamed after him in 1986.

The proposals state the life-sized bronze sculpture, on a granite plinth outside the Glasgow Blood Donor Centre, would celebrate his "legacy and relationship" with the city.

READ NEXT: Glasgow Nelson Mandela statue a step closer with work at proposed site

Nelson Mandela in Glasgow in October 1993Mandela came to Glasgow in 1993 to accept Freedom of the City, an honour which had been bestowed to him in 1981 when he was still imprisoned on Robben Island. 

It was the first city in the world to give the Mandela the honour.

The Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation, who are behind the campaign for a statue, aim to increase knowledge and understanding of the historic role of Glasgow and Scotland in the world-wide campaign for Mandela's release and human rights in South Africa.

 READ NEXT: New plan to erect Nelson Mandela statue in Glasgow

(Image: The Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation)

Patrons of the charity include Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Sir Billy Connolly and Glasgow's Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren.

A Crowdfunder for the statue says they have now raised more than £150,000 for the project.

Glasgow City Council approved the plans on Thursday, November 14. 

READ NEXT: Glasgow was on the right side of history over Nelson Mandela support, says former Lord Provost

Trial trenches being dug in Nelson Mandela Place in February 2023 (Image: The Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation) Permission for a statue was previously granted in both 2017 and 2021.  

We previously reported in February 2023 that preliminary works were taking place at the proposed site for the statue with workers pictured digging "trial trenches".