in the Newcastle Chronicle on 16 June 1832: The proposal was initially met with enthusiasm, although some Reformers were hesitant to commemorate an individual, instead preferring to erect a monument to the cause of the Reform movement itself. Alternative sites for the monument were proposed, including Rimside Moor in Northumberland. The eventual site of the monument in central Newcastle was chosen as part of a local improvement plan proposed by Richard Grainger. In his plan, Grainger proposed to erect a statue not of Grey, but of an idealised figure. However, in 1834, Earl Grey was proposed as the subject of the statue. A public meeting took place on 6 October, chaired by William Ord, "to take into consideration the propriety of entering into a subscription, for erecting in a public situation in his native county, a statue, or other memorial, to the memory of the Noble Earl". There was unanimous support for the monument and £500 was raised on the day. One of the subscribers to the final monument was Whig politician and Irish political leader Daniel O'Connell. The final location of the monument was slow to be approved, due to indecision from the council. There was also some lack of approval of Earl Grey himself; he was not as popular as he had been around the time of the Great Reform Bill's passing, and after leaving politics in 1834 Grey had focussed on a quiet life outside of the public sphere. Plans for Grey's Monument were approved by Newcastle Town Council on 14 September 1836. In the same meeting, it was agreed that the location of the monument would be at the top of Upper Dean Street, which would be renamed "Grey Street". Councillor Charnley spoke about the location of the monument, saying: "It must be well known to most of us that great anxiety has been felt to fix upon a proper situation for the monument; and after long deliberation, the Committee have come to the resolution that the place proposed is the fittest and most appropriate in Newcastle. It will be for you to decide whether, in your judgement, the Committee have come to a proper determination". Benjamin Green, John Green's son, designed the monument's column, which was to cost £1,600. The architects initially intended for the monument to be taller, but the height was limited by the amount of money raised via subscriptions. Edward Hodges Baily